FROM   THE   LIBRARY  OF 
REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.  D.  D, 

BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY   OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


I>\\  li  .  II  I     I       M ^ 


IRA  D.  SANKEY. 


THE  WOBK  OffMdOD 

IN 

GKEAT  BEITAIN: 

UNDER 

v 

MESSRS.  MOODY  AND  SANKEY, 

1873  TO  1875. 

WITH    BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES. 

By  RUFUS  W.  CLARK,  D.D. 


Not  by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

Zeoii.  iv.,  6. 


~\ 


NEW   YORK: 
HARPER    &    BROTHERS,    PUBLISHERS, 

FRANKLIN      SQUARE. 
1875. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1875,  by 

Baefeb    &    Brothers, 

In   the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


CONTENTS 


PAGB 

Introduction 11 

I.  Biographical  Sketch  of  Mr.  Moody 15 

II.  Biographical  Sketch  of  Mr.  Sankey 45 

III.   The  Light  Kindled 54 


The  Work  in  Scotland. 

I.  Edinburgh 65 

II.  Dundee 105 

III.  Glasgoic 113 

IV.  Paisley 157 

V.    Greenock 161 

VI.  Return  to  Edinburgh 164 

VII.  Aberdeen  and  Forfarshire 176 

VIII.   Tain,  Uuntly,  Nairn,  and  Elgin 183 

IX.    Closing  Meetings  in  Scotland 195 


The  Work  in  Ireland. 

I.  Belfast 201 

II.  Londonderry 216 

III.  Dublin 219 


CONTENTS. 


The  Work  in  England. 


PAGE 


I.  Manchester 234 

II.  Sheffield 273 

III.  Birmingham 292 

IV.  Liverpool 325 

V.  London 342 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Dwight  L.  Moody  ) 

> Frontispieces. 

Ira  D.  Sankey        ) 

The  North  Side  Tabernacle Page  23 


THE  WORK  OF  GOD 

IN  GREAT   BRITAIN. 


INTRODUCTION. 

Of  the  one  thousand  millions  of  the  human  family, 
no  one,  during  the  past  two  years,  has  been  the  means 
of  leading  so  many  souls  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as 
Dwight  L.  Moody.  No  revival  in  modern  times  has 
been  marked  with  such  immediate  and  varied  results  as 
that  which  has  attended  the  progress  of  Messrs.  Moody 
and  Sankey,  through  the  British  Isles.  Throughout 
Christendom  the  work  has  been  viewed  with  wonder,  in 
its  extent,  its  marvelous  details,  and  in  the  fruits  that 
have  been  gathered  in,  from  all  classes  in  society.  The 
rich  and  the  poor,  the  learned  and  the  ignorant,  students 
and  peasants,  men,  women,  and  children,  have  been  seen 
flocking  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  Conversions  have 
been  estimated  at  tens  of  thousands  in  single  cities. 
Audiences  have  overflowed  the  largest  churches  and 
public  halls,  and  at  open-air  meetings  have  been  meas- 
ured by  acres.  Between  two  thousand  and  three  thou- 
sand inquirers  have  gathered  at  one  time,  to  ask  what 
they  must  do  to  be  saved.     At  the  call  for  a  young  con- 


12  THE  WORK   OF  GOD  IN   GEE  AT  BRITAIN. 

verts'  meeting,  nearly  the  same  number  have  assembled, 
each  one  presenting  his  ticket  for  admission.  Scene  af- 
ter scene  of  the  most  thrilling  character  has  been  wit- 
nessed, drawing  tears  from  many  an  eye,  and  calling 
forth  exclamations  of  astonishment  from  the  lips  of 
thousands. 

Feeble  churches  have  been  strengthened  by  large  ac- 
cessions, and  strong  churches  have  been  made  stronger 
by  additions  to  their  ranks.  In  many  places  new 
churches  have  been  organized,  and  new  systems  of 
Christian  work  have  been  inaugurated.  Large  contri- 
butions have  been  taken  for  charitable  and  educational 
purposes;  and  tens  of  thousands  of  pounds  have  been 
expended  in  erecting  halls,  and  providing  accommoda- 
tions for  the  multitudes  eager  for  the  bread  of  life.  De- 
nominational lines  have  been,  in  a  great  measure,  oblit- 
erated ;  and  ministers  of  various  sects  have  assembled  in 
crowds  under  the  banner  of  one  God,  one  faith,  one  bap- 
tism, and  one  sublime  destiny.  Efforts  for  ecclesiastical 
unity  that  had  extended  over  years,  have  been  crowned 
with  success  in  a  day.  Clergy  of  the  Eoman  Catholic 
Church  have  attended  the  public  services,  and  when  re- 
buked, one,  at  least,  said  that  it  could  do  no  harm  to  go 
and  hear  about  Jesus.  The  movement  has  inspired 
evangelical  preachers  with  new  zeal  and  force  in  the 
presentation  of  divine  truth,  and  has  largely  added  to  the 
congregations  under  the  stated  means  of  grace.  It  has 
quickened  the  weekly  prayer^meetings,  giving  to  them  a 
more  social  and  attractive  character  than  they  have  had 
in  the  past.  Stiffness  and  formality  have  yielded  to  the 
genial  influences  of  Christian  freedom  and  love. 

Hundreds  of  thousands  of  professing  disciples  of  our 


INTRODUCTION.  IS 

Lord  have  been  led  to  higher  attainments  in  the  relig- 
ious life,  and  far  greater  efforts  in  the  service  of  God 
than  were  ever  before  rendered.  Beyond  the  limits  of 
the  meetings  held,  an  unwonted  seriousness  has  spread 
over  vast  communities,  solemnizing  the  thoughtless, 
checking  the  vicious,  silencing  the  scoffers,  and  leading 
multitudes,  not  yet  brought  to  Christ,  to  think  of  death, 
the  judgment,  and  eternity.  In  many  cities  visited  by 
these  Evangelists,  the  revival  has  continued  after  their 
departure,  and  in  some  instances  with  increased  power. 
In  regions  parched  with  drought  and  spiritually  unfruit- 
ful for  many  years  past,  fresh  springs  of  living  waters 
have  sprung  up,  and  rivers  of  salvation  have  flowed  forth, 
widening  and  deepening,  carrying  joy  to  multitudes  of 
hearts  and  homes. 

Preparations  have  been  made  for  the  coming  of  the 
Evangelists,  on  a  scale  never  before  known.  The  lar- 
gest assemblies  of  eminent  ministers  and  la}^men  have 
been  held  to  make  arrangements  for  their  visit;  and 
days  and  weeks  have  been  spent  in  prayer,  and  in  hu- 
miliation before  God,  that  the  Divine  Spirit,  in  copious 
effusion,  might  render  effective  their  labors. 

In  this  wonderful  work  it  is  apparent  that  God  has 
designs  that  reach  far  beyond  its  immediate  results, 
glorious  as  they  appear  in  our  eyes.  Surveying  the 
field  of  his  providential  dealings,  we  see  indications  of 
the  speedy  extension  of  his  kingdom  on  the  earth.  The 
large  and  increasing  number  of  his  children  who  are  en- 
joying an  abiding  sense  of  his  presence,  and  have  re- 
ceived a  full  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  the  frequency  of 
precious  revivals  of  religion,  and  the  rapid  removal  of 
barriers  that  have  heretofore  obstructed  the  progress  of 


14  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

the  Gospel,  all  point  in  this  direction  ;  and  at  this  stage 
of  the  divine  movements,  there  suddenly  bursts  upon  the 
Christian  world,  in  the  career  of  Messrs'.  Moody  and  San- 
key,  the  most  convincing  and  impressive  proof  of  God's 
readiness  to  endue  with  heavenly  power  any  disciple 
who  will  wholly  consecrate  himself  to  his  service. 


SKETCH  OF  MM.  MOODY.  15 


BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH  OF  MR.  MOODY. 

D  wight  L.  Moody  was  born  at  North  field,  Massachu- 
setts, on  the  5th  day  of  February,  1837.  Accordingly, 
he  is  now  thirty-eight  years  of  age,  in  the  full  prime  of 
life  and  vigor. 

His  early  education  was  limited ;  owing,  in  part,  at 
least,  to  the  lack  of  a  disposition  to  fully  improve  the 
advantages  within  his  reach.  As  a  boy,  however,  he 
developed  a  force  of  character,  and  a  freshness  and  orig- 
inality, that  gave  him  great  influence  over  his  compan- 
ions. The  germs  of  the  remarkable  leadership  and  in- 
dependence that  characterize  his  present  movements  may 
be  traced  to  his  childhood.  He  was  born  to  lead  men, 
at  least,  in  some  direction.  He  has  recently  said  that 
it  is  better  to  get  ten  men  to  work,  than  for  one  to  do 
the  work  of  ten  men.  He  has  certainly  revealed  the 
faculty  of  doing  either.  His  parents  were  Unitarians ; 
but,  however  upright  their  conduct,  their  belief  had  no 
power  to  touch  his  heart,  or  mould  his  spiritual  nature. 

When  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  was  a  clerk  in  a  shoe- 
store  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  and  a  member  of  Mount 
Vernon  Church  Sunday-school,  in  a  class  taught  by  Mr. 
Edward  Kimball.  How  little  did  that  excellent  teach- 
er know  to  whom  he  was  teaching  the  truths  of  God's 
Word,  and  what  rich  and  wide  harvests  would  spring  up 


16  THE    WO  UK   OF  GOD   IX  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

from  the  precious  seed  that  he  was  planting  in  the  mind 
of  this  rustic-looking  youth!  When  the  teacher  was 
asked  by  his  pupil,  "Don't  you  think  that  Moses  was  a 
smart  man?"  how  little  did  he  dream  that  the  questioner 
would  one  day  be  leading  a  mightier  host  to  the  prom- 
ised land  than  any  other  living  inhabitant  of  the  globe. 

Having,  through  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
yielded  to  the  power  of  the  Saviour's  love,  and  desiring 
to  make  a  public  profession  of  his  faith,  he  applied  for 
admission  to  the  church  on  the  16th  of  May,  1855.  Af- 
ter being  examined  by  the  committee,  they,  having  his 
highest  spiritual  welfare  in  view,  as  well  as  the  best  in- 
terests of  the  church,  recommended  him  to  delay  a  pub- 
lic profession  until  he  could  more  clearly  apprehend  the 
fundamental  truths  of  Christianity.  It  was  evident  that 
his  education  had  been  sadly  deficient  in  this  depart- 
ment, while  his  sincerity  and  earnestness  enlisted  the 
sympathy  of  all.  He  was  kindly  visited  and  instructed 
by  Mr.  Julius  A.  Palmer  and  Mr.  Langdon  S.  Ward, 
officers  of  the  church,  and  by  Mr.  Kimball,  his  Sabbath- 
school  teacher.  On  presenting  himself  again  to  the 
committee  on  March  ,5th,  1856,  he  was  received  to  the 
communion  of  the  church.  One  of  the  committee,  in 
writing  to  me  of  him,  says,  "I  feel  that  he  is  an  illustra- 
tion of  the  words  c  the  last  shall  be  first,'  and  I  am  glad 
to  sit  at  his  feet  and  learn  now  how  to  serve  our  Lord 
and  Master.  Blessed  be  God  for  his  grace  to  Brother 
Moody,  and  through  him  to  the  world." 

Soon  after  attending  a  church  prayer-meeting,  feeling 
anxious  to  enter  at  once  upon  the  service  of  his  Master, 
he  rose  and  offered  a  few  remarks.  At  the  close  of  the 
meeting  his  pastor  took  him  aside,  and  kindly  told  him 


SKETCH  OF  MR.  MOODY.  17 

that  he  had  better  not  attempt  to  speak  in  the  meetings, 
but  might  serve  God  in  some  other  way.  To  this  he 
has  several  times  referred  in  his  public  addresses.  Still 
feeling  that  he  might  possibly  serve  God  in  this  way,  he 
attended  other  meetings,  and  delivered  short  addresses. 
In  several  instances  he  met  with  a  similar  rebuke.  The 
strongest  impression  that  he  made  upon  many  good  peo- 
ple was,  that  he  ought  not  to  attempt  public  speaking  at 
all,  and  they  frankly  told  him  so.  One  of  his  dearest 
friends  and  co-workers  informs  me  that  probably  these 
repeated  discouragements  influenced  him  to  remove  to 
Chicago,  where  there  might  be  a  more  receptive  field 
for  his  labors. 

Some  months  afterward,  in  September,  1856,  he  ac- 
cepted a  situation  in  a  shoe-store  in  Chicago.  On  Sun- 
day he  sought  out  a  Mission  Sunday-school,  and  offered 
his  services  as  a  teacher.  He  was  informed  that  the 
school  had  a  full  supply  of  teachers,  but  if  he  would 
gather  a  class,  he  might  occupy  a  seat  in  the  school-room. 
The  next  Sabbath  he  appeared  with  eighteen  boys,  and  a 
place  was  assigned  him  for  his  new  and  rough  recruits. 
This  was  the  beginning  of  his  mission  to  "the  masses." 
On  that  day  he  unfolded  his  theory  of  how  "  to  reach 
the  masses" — "Go  for  them." 

Soon  after,  he  commenced  the  "North  Market  Hall 
Mission-school."  The  old  market-hall  was  used  on  Sat- 
urday nights  for  dancing;  and  after  the  motley  crowd 
had  dispersed,  Mr.  Moody  and  his  associates  spent  the 
late  hours  of  Saturday  night  and  the  early  hours  of  Sun- 
day morning  in  removing  the  sawdust  and  filth,  cleans- 
ing the  floor,  and  putting  the  room  in  order  for  their 
Christian   work.     The  repetition  of  this  kind  of  labor 


18  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

week  after  week  was  obviously  not  very  agreeable ;  but 
it  was  cheerfully  rendered  by  a  young  man  who  lived 
for  one  object — the  salvation  of  souls.  In  this  hall  the 
school  was  held  for  six  years,  and  increased  to  over  one 
thousand  members.  Many  were  brought  to  Jesus ;  and 
the  work  was  carried  forward  amidst  marked  encourage- 
ments and  discouragements. 

Finding  it  extremely  difficult  to  hold  prayer-meetings 
or  Sabbath  -  evening  services  in  this  hall,  Mr.  Moody 
rented  a  saloon  that  would  accommodate  about  two  hun- 
dred persons.  He  boarded  up  the  side  windows,  and 
furnished  it  with  unpainted  pine-board  seats.  It  was  a 
dismal,  unventilated  place,  and  during  service  it  was  nec- 
essary to  have  policemen  to  guard  the  door  and  build- 
ing. Here  he  collected  the  poor  and  the  vicious ;  and 
sought,  by  melting  appeals  and  fervent  prayers,  to  lead 
hardened  sinners  to  abandon  their  evil  courses,  and  ac- 
cept the  offers  of  salvation. 

While  standing  in  this  small  and  rough  apartment,  no 
visions  floated  before  his  fancy  of  the  vast  and  splendid 
halls  where  he  now  unfolds  the  glorious  truths  of  Chris- 
tianity to  tens  of  thousands,  of  all  ranks  and  degrees  of 
learning,  and  culture  in  the  British  Empire ;  neither 
did  he  think  of  what  was  before  him  in  the  city  of  Chi- 
cago, and  the  wide  fields  that  would  open  to  him  in  the 
State  of  Illinois,  and  throughout  the  United  States.  He 
simply  thought  of  saving  these  poor  souls,  for  whom  the 
Son  of  God  had  died.  He  had  pulled  them  out  of  the 
fire  of  consuming  vices,  and  now  he  pleads  with  them  to 
repent  and  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 

Thus  he  toiled  on  until  the  winter  of  1857-58,  when 
a  powerful  revival  led  to  the  formation  of  the  Young 


SKETCH  OF  MR.  MOODY.  19 

Men's  Christian  Association  of  Chicago,  and  the  establish- 
ment of  a  daily  union  prayer-meeting. 

The  meeting  began  in  January,  1858,  and  was  at  first 
very  largely  attended.  Gradually,  however,  the  numbers 
diminished.  The  committee  who  had  the  meeting  in 
charge  gave  it  over  to  the  Young  Men's  Association, 
who  continued  it,  though  at  times  but  three  or  four  per- 
sons were  present.  At  this  period  Mr.  Moody  com- 
menced attending  the  meeting,  and  by  his  personal  ef- 
forts induced  more  than  a  hundred  to  join  the  praying- 
band. 

About  this  time  he  said  to  a  dear  friend,  who  had  been 
intimately  associated  with  him  in  his  various  Christian 
labors,  "I  have  decided  to  give  to  God  all  my  time." 
Previous  to  this  he  had  devoted  his  evenings  and  Sab- 
baths, and  occasionally  a  whole  day,  to  laboring  for  the 
Lord.  His  friend  asked  him,  "How  he  expected  to 
live?"  He  replied,  "God  will  provide  if  he  wishes  me 
to  keep  on ;  and  I  will  keep  on  until  I  am  obliged  to 
stop."  Since  that  day  he  has  received  no  salary  from 
any  individual  or  society;  but  God  has  supplied  his 
wants. 

Many  characteristic  incidents  are  related  illustrating 
his  perfect  trust  in  his  Heavenly  Father.  One  morning, 
on  leaving  his  house  to  spend  the  day  in  Christian  work, 
his  wife  said  to  him,  "We  need  a  barrel  of  flour;  will  you 
attend  to  it?"  He  made  some  general  reply,  and  on  his 
return  in  the  evening  she  said  to  him,  "  I  thank  you  for 
sending  the  barrel  of  flour  home  so  promptly."  "Bar- 
rel of  flour!"  said  he,  with  a  look  of  astonishment;  "did 
a  barrel  come?"  "Yes,"  she  replied.  "Well,"  said  he, 
"I  haven't  thought  of  it  since  you  spoke  of  it  in  the 


20  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

morning."  He  had  been  so  absorbed  in  efforts  to  bring 
souls  to  Christ,  that  he  had  not  even  prayed  for  it. 
But'  the  Lord  knew  that  his  family  needed  flour,  and 
prompted  a  Christian  man  to  send  it. 

At  another  time  a  friend  met  him  as  he  was  hurrying 
to  the  depot,  and  asked,  "  Where  are  you  going  in  such 
haste?"  He  replied,  "I  feel  called  to  go  to  the  south- 
ern part  of  the  State  to  aid  in  a  Christian  enterprise." 
"Have  you  money  to  meet  your  expenses?"  said  the 
friend.  "I  hardly  think  I  have,"  was  his  reply.  The 
friend  handed  him  a  hundred  dollars,  fifty  of  which  he 
took  with  him,  and  the  remainder  he  sent  home  for  fami- 
ly expenses. 

When  he  gave  up  his  situation  in  Chicago,  and  re- 
solved thenceforth  to  "live  by  faith,"  many  of  his  acquaint- 
ances thought  that  he  was  demented.  But  when  they 
saw  how  his  usefulness  increased,  and  how  the  Lord  pro- 
vided for  him,  without  his  taking  "  thought  for  the  mor- 
row," and  scarcely  for  the  present  day ;  when  they  saw 
converts  multiplying  under  his  ministrations,  and  re- 
vivals started  and  promoted  by  his  zealous  efforts,  and 
the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  revived  from  a 
state  of  torpor,  to  become  a  mighty  power  for  good  in 
the  city  and  the  State,  they  felt  that  this  was  no  vision- 
ary fanatic,  but  a  wise  and  prudent  Christian  man. 

In  1863  his  work  had  attained  such  a  magnitude  that 
a  large  and  commodious  building  was  erected  on  Illinois 
Street,  costing,  with  the  land,  about  twenty  thousand  dol- 
lars. Here  Mr.  Moody  preached  to  a  crowded  assembly, 
conducted  a  flourishing  Sabbath-school,  and  gathered  a 
church  of  three  hundred  members.  Among  Mr.  Moody's 
warmest  friends  is  John  V.  Farwell,  Esq.,  a  prosperous 


SKETCH  OF  MIL  MOODY.  21 

merchant  of  Chicago,  and  a  most  noble-hearted  Christian. 
Besides  aiding  Mr.  Moody  in  various  ways,  he  provided 
him  with  a  house,  which  was  beautifully  furnished  in 
every  part  by  other  friends.  In  this  new  residence,  and 
with  his  large  and  flourishing  church,  every  thing  went 
on  prosperously  until  the  great  fire  of  October,  1871, 
when  all  his  property  was  destroyed.  In  the  middle  of 
the  night  he  was  roused  by  the  wild  conflagration  sweep- 
ing toward  his  house,  and  with  his  wife  and  two  children 
hurried  to  find  shelter.  A  friend  meeting  him  soon  af- 
ter, asked  him  if  he  had  lost  all.  He  replied,  "Every 
thing  but  my  reputation  and  my  Bible."  His  wife  saved 
some  few  articles  of  dress,  and  took  down  a  portrait  of 
Mr.  Moody,  in  a  heavy  frame.  She  asked  him  to  take  it 
and  carry  it  to  a  place  of  safety.  He  said,  "  Wouldn't  I 
look  well  carrying  my  picture  through  the  streets!" 
Finding  it  burdensome,  she  took  it  out  of  the  frame  and 
saved  it.  But  he  secured  his  Bible  that  for  years  was 
his  constant  companion,  and  the  same  that  he  now  uses 
in  his  meetings  in  Great  Britain.  It  is  fully  marked 
with  references  and  notes  of  incidents  and  illustrations, 
and  at  the  close  there  is  an  index  to  the  illustrations.  A 
friend  tells  me  that,  three  years  ago,  he  said  to  her  that 
he  would  not  sell  his  Bagster  Bible  for  five  hundred  dol- 
lars. Now  it  is  still  more  valuable  to  him,  and  probably 
no  amount  of  money  could  purchase  it.  He  has  a  pock- 
et specially  made  in  which  to  carry  it.  Nothing  certain- 
ly can  be  more  characteristic  of  the  man  than  his  fleeing 
from  the  flames  of  a  wild  conflagration,  caring  nothing 
for  his  portrait,  but  clinging  to  his  Bible. 

About  five  years  since  he  was  led  to  study  the  Scrip- 
tures with  increased  diligence,  and  formed  the  habit  of 


22  THE    WORK    OF  HOD   IN   CHEAT  BRITAIN. 

rising  at  five  o'clock,  and  often  at  four,  for  this  purpose. 
He  studied  until  his  breakfast,  and  went  to  his  room  and 
spent  the  whole  day  in  services  for  the  Master,  returning 
at  6  p.m.  During  these  early  hours  he  made  much  of 
the  preparation  for  the  sermons  and  addresses  that  he  is 
now  delivering  before  such  vast  and  attentive  audiences. 
After  the  fire,  his  feelings  and  those  of  his  co-workers  at 
seeing  the  result  of  years  of  prayer  and  toil  in  ruins, 
can  hardly  be  conceived.  And  what  could  they  do, 
with  the  whole  city  crippled,  and  the  resources  upon 
which  they  had  depended  in  the  past  so  largely  cut  off? 
But  recovering  from  the  first  stunning  blow,  their  hopes 
revived ;  and  in  the  face  of  confusion  and  difficulties  of 
every  kind,  they  had  in  a  month  a  structure  erected,  that 
temporarily  served  the  purpose  of  a  school  and  church... 

This  structure,  represented  in  the  engraving,  was  com- 
menced five  weeks  after  the  fire,  and  completed  in  thirty 
days.  At  the  solicitation  of  Mr.  Moody,  the  necessary 
funds  were  secured,  and  accommodations  thus  furnished 
for  the  large  population  in  the  neighborhood.  The 
building  was  familiarly  known  as  "  The  North  Side 
Tabernacle,"  and  located  at  the  corner  of  Wells  and 
Ontario  streets.  It  was  one  story  high,  and  would  seat 
fifteen  hundred  persons. 

In  the  summer,  open-air  meetings  were  held  near  the 
Tabernacle,  followed  by  meetings  for  inquirers  and  }7oung 
converts.  During  the  week  four  religious  meetings  were 
appointed ;  besides  one  for  mothers,  and  two  for  teach- 
ing poor  children  to  sew.  Here,  as  formerly,  Mr.  Moody's 
labors  were  greatly  blessed,  and  the  whole  community 
experienced  the  refining  and  elevating  influence  of  these 
stated  religious  services. 


SKETCH  OF  MR.  MOODY.  25 

Some  time  since  a  site  was  selected  for  a  large  and  com- 
modious edifice,  with  an  audience-room  having  two  thou- 
sand five  hundred  sittings,  and  room  for  the  schools.  The 
whole  cost  will  be  about  one  hundred  thousand  dollars. 
So  numerous  are  Mr.  Moody's  friends,  that  contributions 
flowed  in  from  various  parts  of  the  country.  The  case 
was  presented  to  the  Sabbath-schools,  and  five  hundred 
thousand  children  sent  five  cents  each,  desiring  to  pur- 
chase a  brick,  or  something  that  would  help  rear  the 
great  tabernacle.  A  contribution  of  three  hundred  dol- 
lars came  from  an  unknown  friend  in  Pekin ;  and  some 
converted  Chinamen  sent  a  few  dollars,  collected  from 
their  Pagan  countrymen.  Notwithstanding  the  late 
stagnation  in  business  that  has  delayed  the  progress  of 
the  building,  we  hope  soon  to  receive  intelligence  of  its 
completion. 

In  the  year  1868  the  Eev.  David  Macrae,  Presbyte- 
rian minister  of  Greenock,  Scotland,  visited  Chicago,  and 
in  a  graphically  written  volume,  entitled  "The  Ameri- 
cans at  Home,"  designates  Mr.  Moody  as  the  Lightning 
Christian  of  the  Lightning  City.  In  describing  him  he 
says:  "The  man  who  may  be  called,  par  excellence,  the 
Lightning  Christian  of  the  Lightning  City  is  Mr.  Moody, 


the  President  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association, 
and  a  man  whose  name  is  a  household  word  in  connec- 
tion with  missionary  work.  I  went  to  one  of  his  mis- 
sion schools,  and  have  rarely  beheld  such  a  scene  of 
high -pressure  evangelization.  It  made  me  think  irre- 
sistibly of  those  breathing  steamboats  on  the  Mississippi, 
that  must  either  go  fast  or  burst.  Mr.  Moody  himself 
moved  energetically  about  the  school  most  of  the  time, 
seeing  that  every  body  was  at  work,  throwing  in  a  word 

2 


26  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

where  he  thought  it  necessary,  and  inspiring  every  one 
with  his  own  enthusiasm. 

"As  soon  as  the  classes  had  been  going  on  for  a  specif- 
ic number  of  minutes,  he  mounted  a  platform,  rang  a  bell, 
and  addressed  the  children.  He  is  a  keen,  dark-eyed 
man,  with  a  somewhat  shrill  voice,  but  with  thorough 
earnestness  of  manner  and  delivery.  His  remarks  were 
few,  but  pointed  and  full  of  interrogation,  keeping  the 
children  on  their  mettle.  It  is  one  of  his  first  principles, 
never,  in  any  of  the  religious  exercises,  to  allow  the  in- 
terest or  attention  of  the  audience  to  flag  for  an  instant. 
At  a  Great  religious  convention  held  at  Chicago,  to  which 
five  hundred  delegates  came  from  all  parts  of  the  United 
States,  he  got  a  resolution  passed  that  no  one  should  be 
allowed  more  than  three  minutes  for  his  speech.  The 
result  was  that  an  immense  number  got  an  opportunity 
for  speaking,  and  an  admirable  check  was  put  on  the 
American  tendency  to  copious  and  flowery  oratory. 
Every  man  had  to  dash  in,  rnedias  res,  at  once,  say  what 
he  had  to  say  without  loss  of  words,  and  leave  out  all 
minor  points  to  get  time  for  the  points  of  most  impor- 
tance. One  or  two  of  Mr.  Moody's  remarks  were,  'Serv- 
ices are  not  made  interesting  enough,  so  as  to  get  uncon- 
verted people  to  come.  They  are  not  expected  to  come, 
and  people  would  be  mortified  if  they  did  come.  Don't 
get  into  a  rut.  I  abominate  ruts.  There  are  few  things 
that  I  dread  more.'  " 

Though  earnest  in  his  piety,  and  full  of  religious  con- 
versation, Mr.  Moody  has  no  patience  with  mere  cant, 
and  wants  every  body  to  prove  his  sincerity  by  his  acts. 
At  a  meeting  in  behalf  of  a  struggling  charity,  a  wealthy 
layman,  loud   in   his   religious   professions,   offered    up 


SKETCH  OF  MR.  MOODY.  27 

a  prayer  that  the  Lord  would  move  the  hearts  of  the 
people  to  contribute  the  sum  required.  Mr.  Moody  rose, 
and  said  that  all  the  charity  wanted  was  only  two  thou- 
sand dollars,  and  that  he  considered  it  absurd  for  a  man 
with  half  a  million  to  get  up  and  ask  the  Lord  to  do  any 
thing  in  the  matter,  when  he  could  himself,  with  a  mere 
stroke  of  his  pen,  do  all  that  was  needed,  and  ten  times 
more,  and  never  feel  the  difference. 

"  The  first  thing  Mr.  Moody  does  with  those  whom  he 
succeeds  in  bringing  under  Christian  influences  is,  to  turn 
them  to  account  in  pushing  on  the  good  work.  He  con- 
siders no  place  too  bad,  no  class  too  hardened,  to  be  de- 
spaired of.  He  sometimes  takes  a  choir  of  young  people, 
well  trained  in  singing,  to  the  low  drinking  saloons,  to 
help  him  in  wooing  the  drunkards  and  gamblers  away 
to  the  meetings.  On  one  such  occasion,  which  was  de- 
scribed to  me,  he  entered  one  of  these  dens  with  his 
choir,  and  said,  '  Would  you  like  to  have  a  song,  gentle- 
men ?'  No  objection  was  offered,  and  the  children  sung 
a  patriotic  song  in  fine  style,  eliciting  great  applause. 
Mr.  Mood}'  then  had  a  hymn  sung  by  them,  and  mean- 
while went  round  giving  tracts  to  those  present.  When 
the  hymn  was  over  he  said,  '  We  shall  now  have  a  word 
of  prayer.'  *  No,  no,'  cried  several  in  alarm,  'no  prayer 
here.'  'Oh  yes,  we'll  have  a  few  words  of  prayer. 
Quiet  for  a  minute,  gentlemen,'  he  said,  and  proceed- 
ed to  offer  up  a  few  earnest  petitions.  Some  of  the  men 
were  touched ;  and  when  he  invited  them  to  go  with 
him  to  his  meeting  and  hear  more  about  salvation,  half 
of  them  rose  and  went.  It  is  believed  that  if  Pande- 
monium were  accessible,  Mr.  Moody  would  have  a  mis- 
sion started  there  within  a  week." 


28  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

The  civil  war,  which  began  with  the  first  gun  that  was 
fired  upon  Fort  Sumter,  in  April,  1861,  opened  a  new 
field  for  the  energetic  philanthropy  and  Christian  zeal 
of  Mr.  Moody.  He  was  at  the  time  a  member  of  the 
Devotional  Committee  of  the  Chicago  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association,  which  was  made  the  army  committee, 
with  John  V.  Farwell,  Esq.,  as  chairman.  When  the 
first  regiment  of  the  three  hundred  thousand  soldiers 
that  encamped  at  Camp  Douglas  were  preparing  shelter 
for  the  first  night's  rest,  a  portion  of  this  committee  were 
on  the  ground,  and  a  prayer -meeting  was  organized. 
Soon  other  meetings  were  established,  to  the  extent  and 
power  of  which  Mr.  Moody  largely  contributed.  He 
seemed  to  be  everywhere,  speaking  and  praying  in  the 
meetings,  conversing  with  soldiers,  warning,  instruct- 
ing, or  encouraging  all  whom  he  was  able  to  reach. 
Over  fifteen  hundred  meetings  were  held  in  the  camp 
that  were  productive  of  great  good. 

When  the  news  came  of  the  battle  at  Fort  Donelson, 
Mr.  Moody  was  among  the  first  to  go  to  the  relief  of  the 
sufferers,  and  he  was  ready  for  any  service  that  could 
contribute  to  the  comfort  of  the  wounded  or  the  dying. 
His  physical  strength,  his  sympathetic  nature,  and  his 
ardent  piety,  were  all  brought  into  requisition,  and  many 
a  suffering  soldier  and  officer  had  reason  to  thank  God 
for  his  ministrations.  Eternity  alone  can  reveal  the 
blessed  results  of  his  efforts  to  prepare  precious  souls  for 
the  realities  of  the  future  life. 

He  was  at  Shiloh,  at  Murfreesboro',  and  with  the 
army  at  Cleveland  and  Chattanooga,  pushing  with  un- 
abated energies  his  Christian  work  in  tents,  hospitals, 
and  on  the  battle-field.     He  was  anions  the  first  to  enter 

o 


SKETCH  OF  MR.  MOODY.  29 

Richmond  after  its  surrender,  and  bear  the  blessings  of 
the  Gospel  to  friend  or  foe. 

During  the  war  that  continued  till  the  year  1865  he 
still  kept  up  his  home  work,  laboring  in  revivals,  attend- 
ing conventions,  and  especially  infusing  new  life  into  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  The  rooms  of  the 
association  at  this  time  were  small  and  inconvenient,  and 
the  only  place  for  private  prayer  was  a  dark  closet.  At 
the  close  of  one  of  these  meetings,  two  young  men  with 
Mr.  Moody  tarried  upon  the  stairs,  to  consult  together 
as  to  what  could  be  done  to  make  the  Association  a  great- 
er power  in  the  city.  Soon  after  they  retired  to  the 
dark  closet,  to  lay  the  case  before  the  Lord. 

Feeling  that  faith  must  be  accompanied  by  works,  they 
next  signed  a  pledge  that  they  would  make  immediate 
and  persevering  efforts  to  secure  the  erection  of  a  suita- 
ble building  for  the  association.  They  formed  several 
plans,  none  of  which  proved  successful.  One  day  a 
young  man  remarked,  "  The  only  way  to  get  a  building 
is  to  elect  Mr.  Moody  president  of  the  association."  The 
suggestion  was  acted  upon,  and  the  following  March  he 
was  elected.  Taking  hold  of  the  matter  with  his  usual 
energy  and  faith  in  divine  help,  a  plan  for  a  building 
was  submitted  at  the  annual  meeting,  and  the  following 
spring  the  foundations  were  laid. 

In  September  it  was  completed,  and  thus  a  new  era  in 
the  usefulness  of  this  institution  was  inaugurated.  Act- 
ive young  men  were  gathered  in,  and  work  was  assigned 
to  different  members,  by  which  large  and  varied  classes 
in  the  community  were  reached.  The  ignorant  were  in- 
structed, the  vicious  reclaimed,  the  latent  energies  of 
Christians  were  developed,  and  a  great  impulse  given  to 
personal  exertions  for  the  salvation  of  souls. 


30  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

Mr.  Moody  served  the  Association  %as  president  for 
four  years ;  and  would  gladly  have  been  retained  longer 
had  he  given  his  consent.  But  the  great  pressure  of 
other  claims  led  him  to  resign,  and  he  was  chosen  vice- 
president. 

The  Sabbath -school  cause,  in  its  wide  relations  to 
the  State  of  Illinois,  was  touched  with  the  wand  of  his 
mighty  influence,  and  felt  at  once  its  electric  power. 
The  first  six  annual  Conventions  had  been  held,  with 
the  usual  routine  of  business  attended  to,  without  any 
marked  spiritual  results.  The  seventh  was  appointed 
to  meet  in  Springfield,  and  Mr.  Moody  sought  to  awak- 
en an  interest  in  it  among  the  prominent  ministers,  and 
others  in  different  parts  of  the  State;  seeking,  as  was  al- 
ways his  custom,  God's  blessing  upon  his  efforts.  The 
Convention  was  to  meet  on  Tuesday,  and  on  the  previous 
Friday  night,  in  company  with  two  kindred  spirits,  he 
took  the  train  from  Chicago,  reaching  Springfield  on 
Saturday  morning.  They  spent  the  day  in  visiting  the 
ministers  and  laymen  in  the  city,  and  arousing  them  to 
the  importance  of  the  coming  gathering.  In  the  after- 
noon of  the  following  Sabbath  a  large  meeting  was 
held;  and  after  earnest  addresses  and  fervent  prayers, 
a  request  was  made  for  any  who  desired  to  be  remem- 
bered at  the  throne  of  grace,  to  rise.  Seventy  persons 
rose  in  the  vast  assembly ;  and  thus  the  fruits  of  the 
Convention  became  visible,  so  to  speak,  before  the  Con- 
vention was  held. 

Another  grand  meeting  was  held  Sabbath  evening. 
Three  were  held  on  Monday,  at  8  A.M.,  4  p.m.,  and  in 
the  evening.  Such  was  the  preparation  to  welcome  the 
Sabbath-school  workers  from  all  parts  of  the  State.  The 
tide  was  already  up  to  float  them  on. 


SKETCH  OF  MR.  MOODY.  31 

The  Convention  opened  with  great  enthusiasm  and 
unwonted  spiritual  power.  Three  meetings  were  held 
every  day  with  the  most  blessed  results.  Many  converts 
were  gathered  to  Christ  before  the  week  closed.  The 
delegates  caught  the  fire,  and  went  home  to  kindle  it 
in  other  hearts,  and  to  spread  the  spiritual  magnetism 
through  their  respective  schools.  Sabbath-schools  all 
over  the  State  felt  the  power  of  that  Convention.  Sub- 
sequent Conventions  partook  of  the  character  of  this, 
and  became  sources  of  mighty  spiritual  influences.  The 
one  held  at  Quincy,  in  1871,  was  attended  by  over  five 
thousand  people,  and  the  meetings  were  of  thrilling  in- 
terest. 

As  though  it  were  not  enough  to  have  the  care  of  a 
family;  to  make  daily  personal  exertions  for  the  salva- 
tion of  individuals;  to  conduct  a  large  church  and  Sun- 
day-school, and  make  the  necessary  weekly  preparations 
for  their  varied  Sabbath  and  weekly  services;  to  admin- 
ister the  affairs  and  attend  to  the  details  involved  in  car- 
rying a  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  up  to  a  com- 
manding position  of  stability  and  power;  to  be  present 
at  Conventions  in  the  State  of  Illinois  and  out  of  it,  and 
to  aid  in  revivals  of  religion — as  though,  I  say,  all  this 
were  not  enough,  Mr.  Moody  added  open-air  meetings  to 
his  work.  These  had  been  greatly  blessed  with  the 
soldiers,  and  he  afterward  held  them  in  the  streets  of 
cities,  and  in  connection  with  State  and  County  Conven- 
tions. He  found  them  very  economical,  as  well  as  ef- 
fective. He  used  the  earth  as  his  temple ;  the  sun  for 
light;  the  canopy  above  for  his  arched  and  splendid 
roof;  and,  without  the  expense  of  pews,  gathered  his 
audiences.      He  had  at  times  difficulties  to  overcome, 


32  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

and  discouragements  to  meet ;  but  he  was  constituted  to 
grapple  with  difficulties  and  overcome  obstacles. 

This  was  a  part  of  his  divinely  appointed  work,  and 
he  cheerfully  accepted  it.  He  was  his  own  forerunner. 
He  had  to  gather  up  the  stones  and  prepare  the  high- 
way, and  then  roll  the  chariot  of  salvation  over  it. 

He  had  been  twice  invited  to  come  and  hold  meetings 
in  a  certain  county  in  the  State;  but  a  pressure  of  duties 
compelled  him  to  decline.  Having  in  the  summer  a 
leisure  week,  he  sent  word  to  one  of  the  pastors  that  he 
was  coming,  and  took  the  next  train. 

On  his  arrival  he  called  upon  the  pastor,  who  said  to 
him,  "I'm  sorry  that  you  have  come.  When  we  wrote 
you,  all  seemed  fair  for  a  revival;  now  all  promise  is 
gone."  He  went  immediately  to  see  another  pastor,  who 
told  him,  "You  might  better  have  staid  at  home;  winter 
is  the  time ;  in  summer  people  here  are  too  busy."  Mr. 
Moody  was  left  to  his  meditations;  but  it  did  not  take 
"the  Lightning  Evangelist"  long  to  decide  what  he 
would  do.  He  persuaded  a  few  persons  to  go  with  him 
to  the  corner  of  a  public  square.  Discovering  a  dry- 
goods  box  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  he  tumbled 
it  over,  and,  mounting  upon  it,  began  to  speak.  At  first 
a  few  stopped  to  listen;  others  came,  until  a  crowd  of 
eager  listeners  had  gathered  around  him.  Many  seemed 
deeply  moved,  while  some  wept.  At  the  close,  he  in- 
vited all  to  attend  another  meeting  to  be  held  in  a  church 
near-by.  Such  a  multitude  flocked  to  the  church  that 
it  would  not  hold  them.  Other  meetings  followed,  in- 
creasing  in  interest.  God  poured  out  his  Spirit,  and  a 
blessed  revival  followed.  The  first  pastor  called  upon 
said,  "I  made  a  mistake;  the  Lord  knew  where  to  send 


SKETCH  OF  MR.  310  ODT.  33 

you."     The  second  pastor  said,  "I  see  that  summer  is 
just  the  time  for  a  revival." 

Mr.  Moody  has  his  enemies.  We  should  be  astonish- 
ed if  he  had  not.  A  man  who  so  squarely  confronts 
evil  as  he  does,  and  fights  "  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the 
devil"  with  such  efficient  weapons,  must  naturally  stir 
up  foes.     We  wonder  that  they  are  not  more  numerous. 

A  friend  of  his  states  that  an  eminent  physician  ex- 
pressed to  him  his  dislike  to  Mr.  Moody,  in  the  most 
decided  terms.  Some  months  after  the  man  called  and 
said,  "I  once  told  you  how  I  disliked  Mr.  Moody.  I 
now  wish  to  say  that  I  have  greatly  changed  my  opin- 
ion." Being  asked  the  cause,  he  said,  "I  was  called  in 
to  see  a  dying  woman  who  had  led  a  life  of  shame.  She 
gave  me  her  watch,  jewelry,  and  other  property,  and  ask- 
ed me  to  send  them  to  her  daughter  in  a  distant  place. 
She  died,  and  I  wrote  to  the  daughter,  who  came  to  the 
city,  called  upon  me,  gave  her  name  and  her  husband's 
references,  and  received  the  things.  Finding  her  re- 
spectable and  lady-like,  I  asked  her  how  she  escaped. 
She  said,  'When  I  was  a  little  girl,  we  lived  on  the 
North  Side.  I  went  to  Mr.  Moody's  Sunday-school,  and 
he  often  went  to  my  mother  and  begged  her  to  send  me 
away  to  a  place  of  safety  ;  and  his  earnest  entreaties  pre- 
vailed. I  was  sent  away,  and  I  owe  it  all  to  him.'  "  The 
doctor  added,  "  This  man  must  be  a  Christian,  and  I  was 
wrong." 

At  one  time  Mr.  Moody  was  assailed  in  the  streets  of 
Chicago  by  some  Roman  Catholics.  He  called  upon  the 
Roman  Catholic  bishop,  who  received  him  kindly,  and 
who,  at  Mr.  Moody's  request,  promised  to  put  a  stop  to 
the  violent  proceedings  to  which  he  had  been  exposed. 

2* 


34  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

Conversing  with  the  bishop,  the  subject  of  prayer  was 
introduced,  and  Mr.  Moody  asked  him  if  he  prayed  in 
private.  He  replied  that  he  did.  "Well,  then,"  said 
Mr.  Moody,  "suppose  we  have  a  short  season  of  prayer 
together,  and,  if  you  please,  you  lead  first."  They  knelt 
down  before  the  sofa  upon  which  they  had  been  sitting, 
and  the  bishop  prayed,  and  Mr.  Moody  followed.  The 
interview  terminated  very  happily,  and  Mr.  Moody  was 
no  longer  annoyed. 

In  private  intercourse  I  have  always  found  Mr.  Moody 
as  full  of  gentle  courtesy  toward  others  as  he  was  of  ten- 
der love  for  his  Saviour.  I  never  knew  a  man  so  free 
from  selfishness  or  self-seeking  as  he.  His  friendship  is 
as  pure  as  a  crystal,  and  his  generous  love  flows  out  to- 
ward all  whom  he  can  serve  or  benefit.  A  nobler  soul 
was  never  formed  by  grace  and  spiritual  culture.  His 
very  presence  as  a  guest  is  a  blessing  in  any  home.  The 
last  time  he  was  in  Albany,  his  whole  manner,  conversa- 
tion, and  spiritual  ardor  deeply  impressed  me;  especially 
his  forgetfulness  of  self  in  his  complete  absorption  in  his 
Master's  work. 

On  our  way  to  a  prayer-meeting  that  I  knew  would 
be  crowded,  though  held  in  a  large  church,  I  remarked 
to  him,  "  You  must  experience  great  pleasure  in  going 
from  place  to  place,  and  reaching  and  benefiting  such 
multitudes  as  come  to  hear  you."  He  seemed  scarcely 
to  know  what  to  say.  He  could  not  deny  that  he  was 
engaged  in  a  delightful  work;  but  his  whole  mind  seemed 
to  be  upon  the  work,  rather  than  his  personal  relations  to 
it.  I  can  not  recall  precisely  his  reply.  But  the  distinct 
impression  left  upon  my  mind  was,  that  this  man  thinks 
of  nothing,  plans  for  nothing,  but  for  Christ  and  souls. 


SKETCH  OF  ME.  MOODY.  35 

Mr.  Moody's  home  reflects  the  love  and  joy  of  the 
heavenly  home.  The  spirit  of  his  companion  harmo- 
nizes perfectly  with  bis  spirit,  and  her  sympathy  and 
tenderness  are  among  Heaven's  choicest  gifts  to  him. 
He  has  a  daughter  and  son,  Emma  and  Willie,  who  rest 
in  his  paternal  affections,  and  are  the  recipients  of  all 
the  blessings  that  flow  from  a  loving  father's  heart.  No 
father  was  ever  more  fond  of  his  children  than  he.  He 
plays  with  them  as  though  he  was  a  child  himself,  and 
enters  into  their  sports,  often  with  the  greatest  glee. 
Mr.  D.  Eussel  Niver,  of  Albany,  to  whom  I  gave  a  letter 
of  introduction  to  him,  called  and  presented  it  just  after 
he  had  taken  his  tea.     Reading  the  letter,  he  said,  "Ah  ! 

yes,  from  Dr.  C .     Now,  children,  let  me  present  you 

to  my  friend,  and  we'll  have  a  good  romp."  Without 
waiting  for  the  least  ceremony,  the  young  man  was  at 
once  received  as  a  member  of  the  family,  and  admitted 
to  all  the  home  privileges,  including  a  good  play  with 
the  children.  Mr.  Moody  has  a  rich  vein  of  humor,  and 
his  overtaxed  brain  and  heart  are  frequently  rested  by 
genial  society  and  innocent  diversions.  The  constant 
strain  that  he  is  under  must  at  times  let  up,  and  his  ar- 
dor breaks  out  in  one  direction,  to  counterbalance  it  in 
another. 

No  man  ever  surpassed  Mr.  Moody  in  hospitality.  In- 
troduce a  stranger  to  him,  and  after  the  first  salutation 
he  will  say,  "Come  and  dine  with  me;"  or,  if  it  is  even- 
ing, "Come  and  take  supper,  and  spend  the  night  at  my 
house."  His  house,  which  was  large  and  commodious, 
was  usually  full  of  guests,  and  his  table  was  often  crowd- 
ed. As  the  Lord  provided  for  him,  he  was  glad  to  have 
as  many  as  possible  share  in  his  gifts,  and  as  he  "loved 


36  THE  WORE  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

his  neighbor  as  himself,"  it  was  all  the  same  to  him  who 
partook  of  his  bounty.  A  man  of  the  keenest  insight 
and  the  most  patient  investigation  might  search  Mr. 
Moody  through  and  through,  and  he  would  not  be  able 
to  find  a  particle  of  meanness  in  his  nature.  He  is  ev- 
ery inch  a  man  ;  and  every  man  is  his  brother. 

While  speaking  of  his  family,  I  will  relate  an  inci- 
dent that  occurred  in  his  Sabbath -school  in  Chicago. 
A  stranger  who  was  visiting  the  school  noticed  a  lady 
teaching  a  class  of  about  forty  middle-aged  men,  in  the 
gallery.  Looking  at  her,  and  then  at  the  class,  he  said 
to  Mr.  Moody,  "  Is  not  that  lady  altogether  too  young  to 
teach  such  a  class  of  men  ?  She  seems  to  me  very  youth- 
ful for  such  a  position."  Mr.  Moody  replied,  "She  gets 
along  very  well,  and  seems  to  succeed  in  her  teaching." 
The  stranger  did  not  appear  to  be  altogether  satisfied. 
He  walked  about  the  school,  evidently  in  an  anxious 
state  of  mind.  In  a  few  moments  he  approached  the 
superintendent  again,  and,  with  becoming  gravity,  said, 
"Mr.  Moody,  I  can  not  but  feel  that  that  lady  must  be 
altogether  too  young  to  instruct  such  a  large  company 
of  men.  Will  you,  sir,  please  to  inform  me  who  she  is?" 
"  Certainly,"  replied  Mr.  Moody ;  "  that  is  my  wife."  The 
stranger  made  no  more  inquiries,  and  nothing  transpired 
to  indicate  the  state  of  his  mind  during  the  remainder 
of  his  visit.  Mrs.  Moody  has  now  reached  the  age 
of  thirty,  and  may  the  bloom  of  youth  long  abide  with 
her. 

Among  Mr.  Moody's  remarkable  qualities  is  his  pow- 
er of  physical  endurance.  This  is  marvelous.  On  New- 
year's -day  he  was  accustomed  in  Chicago  to  call  upon 
every  member  of  his  church   and  society.     He  would 


SKETCH  OF  MR.  MOODY.  37 

start  out  with  a  company  of  friends,  one  after  another  of 
whom  would  drop  out  of  the  circle  during  the  day,  ex- 
hausted. With  the  remainder  he  would  keep  on  calling ; 
and  if  at  last  he  was  left  alone,  he  would  still  fly  from 
house  to  house  with  "a  happy  new  year"  for  every 
body.  In  the  evening  he  would  attend  a  prayer-meet- 
ing as  fresh  as  ever.  I  really  have  not  the  courage  to 
state  the  exact  number  of  calls  he  made,  for  fear  of  excit- 
ing the  spirit  of  doubt  in  the  mind  of  the  reader.  It  is 
sufficient  to  say  that  he  made  several  hundreds,  the  result 
of  the  union  of  his  physical  power  with  his  already  recog- 
nized "  lightning"  power.  On  this  occasion,  as  well  as  on 
every  other,  whatever  his  hands  found  to  do  he  did  with 
his  might ;  and  the  same  held  true  in  regard  to  his  feet. 

It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  the  great  Chicago  fire,  that 
was  regarded  as  an  unmitigated  calamity,  was  one  of  the 
links  in  the  chain  that  led  Mr.  Moody  to  visit  Great  Brit- 
ain at  the  present  time.  He  had  twice  before  crossed  the 
Atlantic  and  labored  in  the  British  isles,  and  succeeded 
in  organizing  a  daily  union  prayer-meeting  in  London. 
After  the  fire  he  was  impressed  with  the  feeling  that  he 
ought  to  go  abroad  again.  Some  English  friends  con- 
versed with  him  on  the  subject,  and  urged  him  to  go,  un- 
der the  belief  that  his  labors  would  be  blessed  of  God. 
Christians  in  Chicago  naturally  wished  to  retain  him,  and 
several  offered  to  build  a  commodious  house  and  present 
it  to  him.  But  he  declined  the  offer,  although  since  the 
fire  he  has  had  no  settled  home,  and  none  in  prospect. 
He  was  under  an  influence  that  led  him  to  feel  that  he 
must  keep  himself  free  from  obligations  and  entangle- 
ments, that  he  might  go  whithersoever  the  Lord  might 
call  him.     He  loved  Chicago  and  the  dear  earnest  Chris- 


38  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

tians  who  rallied  around  him  there,  and  was  grateful  for 
their  kind  and  liberal  offers;  but  duty  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  was  supreme  in  his  soul.  In  England  he  was  of- 
fered a  large  sum  of  money,  but  declined  it,  fearing  it 
might  become  a  snare  to  him. 

On  the  14th  of  last  February,  Mr.Varley,  the  British 
evangelist,  who  is  called  the  "Moody  of  England,"  was 
giving  a  Bible  reading  in  the  city  of  New  York,  when  he 
related  the  following  incident:  "On  visitinsr  at  a  friend's 
house  with  Mr.  Moody  in  England  some  years  ago,  I 
said  to  him,  'It  remains  for  the  world  to  see  what  the 
Lord  can*  do  with  a  man  wholly  consecrated  to  Christ.' 
Mr.  Moody  soon  returned  to  America,  but  those  words 
clung  to  him  with  such  power  that  he  was  induced  to 
return  to  England,  and  commenced  that  wonderful  series 
of  labors  in  Scotland  and  England  in  which  he  is  still 
engaged.  Mr.  Moody  said  to  me  on  returning  to  En- 
gland, '  Those  were  the  words  of  the  Lord,  through  your 
lips,  to  my  soul.'  " 

Some  months  before  his  departure  from  America,  Mr. 
Moody  passed  through  a  very  extraordinary  religious 
experience.  He  called  upon  a  friend  of  rare  intellectual 
and  spiritual  gifts,  and  as  he  began  to  speak  he  burst  into 
tears.  He  said  that  he  hardly  knew  what  the  Lord  intend- 
ed to  do  with  him.  He  seemed  to  "be  taking  him  all  to 
pieces,"  and  showing  to  him  his  unworthiness  and  feeble- 
ness. He  could  hardly  describe,  or  even  understand,  the 
peculiar  emotions  that  had  taken  possession  of  him. 

A  few  days  after  he  made  an  appointment  to  meet 
four  or  five  Christians  for  a  season  of  earnest  prayer  to 
God.  This  friend  being  invited,  on  entering  the  room, 
found  the  little  band  kneeling  in  prayer,  and  all  in  tears. 


SKETCH  OF  MR.  MOODY.  39 

They  were  pouring  out  their  earnest  supplications  in  an 
agony  of  spirit ;  and  could  not  be  denied  the  guidance, 
strength,  and  power  they  sought.  They  asked  for  a 
full  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  that  God  would  use 
them,  as  he  never  had  before,  for  his  own  glory  and  for 
the  salvation  of  multitudes  of  perishing  sinners.  We 
have  reason  to  believe  that  at  that  time  Mr.  Moody  re- 
ceived a  fresh  and  full  baptism  of  the  Spirit,  and  that 
this  was  the  divine  preparation  in  his  soul  for  the  great 
work  upon  which  all  Christendom  looks  to-day  with 
wonder  and  with  thanksgiving  to  God. 

Among  Mr.  Moody's  gifts  is  the  rare  one  of  bearing 
rebuke  with  Christian  meekness.  Some  time  before  the 
period  just  referred  to,  a  person  met  him  and  said,  "I 
fear,  Brother  Moody,  that  you  may  be  losing  some  of 
your  humility  and  religious  devotion,  and  with  these 
your  power  in  Christ's  service."  He  replied,  in  sub- 
stance, "  Perhaps  I  am ;  I  will  look  into  my  heart,  and 
endeavor  to  humble  mj-self  before  God." 

The  question  is  often  asked,  What  are  the  elements 
of  Mr.  Moody's  power?  They  are  certainly  not  his  nat- 
ural gifts.  They  flow  directly  from  Christ.  Filled  with 
the  Spirit,  he  seems  to  lose  sight  of  every  thing  but  the 
message  of  his  Master  to  perishing  sinners;  and  he  can 
not  rest  until  they  are  rescued  from  peril.  His  Heaven- 
ly Father  is  around  him  and  within  him,  pressing  him 
every  moment  to  serve  him,  and  to  think  of  nothing  else. 
The  love  of  the  Saviour  pervades  and  quickens  all  his 
sensibilities,  and  is  the  atmosphere  through  which  he  sees 
his  fellow-men.  He  can  say  with  the  npostle  Paul,  "I 
live;  yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me." 

The  New  York  Observer  for  March  llth,  1875,  under 


40  THE   WORK   OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

the  head  of  "  Secrets  of  Moody's  Success,"  contains  the 
following  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  Van  Doren,  of  Chicago. 
Speaking  first  of  Mr.  Moody's  humility,  he  says :  "An  in- 
cident, some  twelve  years  ago,  occurred  at  the  city  of , 

where  the  pastors  and  friends  of  a  revival  sought  were 
assembled.  Mr.  Moody,  as  his  manner  then  was,  laid  the 
blame  of  spiritual  coldness  on  the  church,  and  of  course 
the  several  ministers  present  felt  the  strokes. 

"One  arose  and  brought  down  the  lash  on  what  he 
called  the  Pharisaic  display,  etc.,  and  repelled  the  charge. 
Poor  Marsyas  did  not  come  out  of  the  hands  of  Apollo 
more  thoroughly  flayed  alive  than  did  Brother  Moody 
from  the  hands  of  that  trenchant  speaker.  Instead  of 
resenting  it,  he  arose,  and  trembling  with  emotion,  said, 
'I,  from  my  heart,  thank  that  brother.  I  deserved  it 
all;'  and  then  asked  that  brother  who  held  the  rod  lto 
pray  for  him .'  Every  heart  was  melted  ;  and  when  that 
prayer  was  ended,  not  one,  we  believe,  in  that  vast  audi- 
ence but  was  willing  to  embrace  and  welcome  Brother 
Moody  from  that  moment  to  this. 

"Secondly:  Our  Brother  Moody  is  a  man  of  inextin- 
guishable zeal.  In  our  cit}^  of  400,000  people  all  the 
boys  of  this  wicked  city  know  him,  and  respect  him  too. 
A  short  time  since,  while  distributing  tracts,  I  rebuked 
some  boys  kindly  for  profanity.  'Say,  mister,  do  you 
belong  to  Brother  Moody?'  At  one  time,  walking  in 
the  crowded  South  Water  Street  with  a  friend,  he  met 
a  knot  of  worldly  acquaintances.  Pausing  a  moment — 
'Friends,  we  may  never  meet  again.  Here  is  an  alcove. 
Let  us  have  a  prayer.'  Love  like  that  drew  them  aside, 
and  he  led,  all  standing.  Waving  his  hand,  and  with  an 
eye  beaming  with  tears,  he  passed  on  in  silence. 


SKETCH  OF  MR.  MOODY.  41 

"  Brother  Moody  is  a  firm  believer  in  God's  word.  It 
is  a  marvel  to  all  our  ministers,  that  while  so  many  ed- 
ucated clergymen  in  the  Evangelical  Church  treat  the 
Bible  as  Homer  or  Plato,  he  practically  writes  over  ev- 
ery verse,  lThus  saith  the  Lord?  Hence  he  has  avoided 
all  those  crotchets  that  weaken  and  deform  the  influence 
of  many  good  preachers.  His  profound,  adoring  love 
of  the  Scriptures  has  led  some  to  think  that  he  reads 
nothing  else.  But,  like  Dr.  Johnson,  who  was  said  'to 
take  the  heart  right  out  of  a  book,'  he  grasps  an  author's 
plan  and  illustrations  with  an  intuitive  glance. 

"  Thirdly  :  He  is  a  man  of  prayer.  This,  I  hold,  in- 
cludes faith.  "We  know  that  Luther  spent  half  the  night 
in  prayer,  at  times. 

"  When  President  Edwards  preached  that  memorable 
sermon,  'Sinners  in  the  Hands  of  an  Angry  God,' at 
Enfield,  New  England,  and  a  glorious  revival  began,  it 
was  discovered,  by  chance,  that  the  elders  of  the  church 
had  spent  the  whole  previous  night  in  prayer  for  a  descent 
of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

"  What  is  remarkable  with  Brother  Moody  is  that  the 
Holy  Ghost  seems  actually  to  precede  him,  as  the  cloudy 
pillar  did  Israel ;  and  when  he  comes,  his  announcement 
of  the  terms  of  mercy  falls  on  open  ears  and  hearts." 

A  writer  in  The  Daily  Review  for  January  6th  thus 
describes  Mr.  Moody  :  "He  is  not  a  man  of  much  edu- 
cation or  culture;  his  manner  is  abrupt  and  blunt;  his 
speech  bristles  with  Americanisms;  his  voice  is  sharp, 
rapid,  and  colloquial ;  and  he  never  attempts  any  thing 
like  finished  or  elaborate  composition.  But  he  is  in 
downright  earnest.  He  believes  what  he  says;  he  says 
it  as  if  he  believed  it,  and  he  expects  his  audience  to  be- 


42  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

lieve  it.  He  gets  wonderfully  near  to  his  bearers,  with- 
out any  apparent  effort.  Whatever  size  the  audience 
may  be,  he  is  at  home  with  them  at  once,  and  be  makes 
them  feel  that  they  are  at  home  with  him.  He  is  gifted 
with  a  rare  sagacity,  an  insight  into  the  human  heart,  a 
knowledge  of  what  is  stirring  in  it,  and  of  what  is  fitted 
to  impress  it.  He  has  in  bis  possession  a  large  number 
of  incidents  and  experiences  well  fitted  to  throw  light 
on  the  points  he  employs  them  to  elucidate,  and  to  clinch 
the  appeals  which  he  uses  them  to  enforce.  In  addition 
to  all  tbis,  he  has  a  deeply  pathetic  vein,  which  enables 
him  to  plead  very  earnestly  at  the  very  citadel  of  the 
heart.  At  first  his  tone  may  seem  to  be  hard.  He  will 
take  for  his  text, '  There  is  no  difference,'  and  press  the 
doctrine  of  universal  condemnation,  as  if  the  worst  and 
the  best  were  precisely  alike.  Possibly  the  antagonism 
of  his  audience  is  somewhat  roused  ;  but  by-and-by  he 
will  take  them  with  him  to  some  affecting  death-bed, 
and  his  tone  will  show  how  profoundly  his  own  heart  is 
stirred  by  what  is  happening  there.  The  vein  of  pathos 
comes  out  tenderly  and  beautifully.  He  seems  as  if  he 
were  lying  on  the  ground,  pleading  in  tears  with  his  hear- 
ers to  come  to  Christ.  But,  most  important  of  all,  he 
seems  to  rely  for  effect  absolutely  on  divine  power.  Of 
course  every  true  preacher  does,  but  in  very  different 
degrees  of  conscious  trust  and  expectation.  Mr.  Moody 
goes  to  his  meetings,  fully  expecting  the  Divine  Pres- 
ence, because  he  has  asked  it.  He  speaks  with  the  fear- 
lessness, the  boldness,  and  the  directness  of  one  delivering 
a  message  from  the  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords; 
and  he  takes  pains  to  have  his  own  heart  in  the  spirit 
of  the  message.     He  tries  to  go  to  his  audience  loving 


SKETCH  OF  MR.  MOODY.  43 

them,  and  actively  and  fervently  longing  for  their  salva- 
tion. He  says  that  if  he  does  not  try  to  stir  up  this  spir- 
it of  love  beforehand,  he  can  not  get  hold  of  an  audience ; 
if  he  does,  he  never  fails.  He  endeavors  to  address  them 
with  a  soul  steeped  in  the  corresponding  emotion.  He 
seems  to  try,  like  Baxter,  never  to  speak  of  weighty  soul 
concerns  without  his  whole  soul  being  drenched  therein. 

"With  all  this,  there  is  in  Mr.  Moody  a  remarkable 
naturalness,  a  want  of  all  approach  to  affectation  or  sanc- 
timoniousness, and  even  a  play  of  humor  which  spirts 
out  sometimes  in  his  most  serious  addresses.  Doubtless 
he  gets  the  tone  of  his  system  restored  by  letting  the  hu- 
mor out  of  him  after  a  long  day's  hard  and  earnest  work. 
For  children  he  has  obviously  a  great  affection,  and  they 
draw  to  him  freely  and  pleasantly.  We  should  fancy 
him  a  famous  man  to  lead  a  Sunday-school  excursion 
party  to  the  country,  and  set  them  agoing  with  all  man- 
ner of  joyous  and  laughing  games.  We  are  sure  he 
would  be  the  happiest  of  the  part\^,  enjoying  the  fun 
himself,  as  well  as  pleased  at  their  enjoyment  of  it.  The 
repression  of  human  nature  or  the  running  of  it  into  ar- 
tificial moulds  is  no  part  of  his  policy.  We  are  sure  he 
must  agree  with  the  late  Dr.  Guthrie,  that  there  is  noth- 
ingbad  in  human  nature  except  its  corruptions,  and  that 
our  aim  should  be  not  to  destroy  it  or  any  part  of  it,  but 
to  get  it  restored  as  God  at  first  made  it.  His  instincts 
of  sagacity  make  him  recoil  from  all  one-sidedness,  and 
desire  that  men  and  women  under  God's  grace  should 
hide  no  true  accomplishment  and  lose  no  real  charm." 

Mr.  Moody  was  invited  to  visit  England  by  the  Eev. 
Mr.  Pennefather,  of  Mildmay,  London,  and  Mr.  Bain- 
bridge,  of  Newcastle,  neither   of  whom  was  permitted 


44  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN 

to  look  upon  the  wide  harvests  that  the  reaper  whom 
they  sent  for  is  gathering  in.  Mr.  Pennefather  died 
while  Mr.  Moodjr  was  on  his  voyage,  and  Mr.  Bainbridge 
soon  after  his  arrival  in  Liverpool.  Was  it  God's  de- 
sign that  these  devoted  men,  joining  "  the  great  cloud  of 
witnesses,"  should  from  the  heavenly  heights  look  down 
upon  the  wondrous  scenes  below?  If  so,  how  has  their 
joy  been  increased  at  seeing  the  fruits  of  the  closing 
signal  effort  of  their  lives  for  Jesus!  They  have  beheld 
the  spiritual  light,  first  kindled  in  England,  and  particu- 
larly in  Newcastle,  whence  one  of  the  invitations  went 
forth;  then  shining  in  Scotland,  with  increased  bright- 
ness; then  hovering  over  the  cities  of  Ireland,  and  pour- 
ing its  sweet  influences  into  tens  of  thousands  of  homes, 
returning,  a  vast  tidal  wave  to  England,  and  moving 
through  Manchester,  Sheffield,  Birmingham,  and  Liver- 
pool, to  the  great  city  over  which  at  this  hour  the  heav- 
ens are  opening,  and  where  the  angels  are  descending 
and  ascending,  bringing  to  earth  the  choicest  of  celestial 
gifts,  and  bearing  to  the  recording  angel  thousands  of 
names  to  be  written  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life. 


SKETCH  OF  MB.  SANKEY.  45 


II. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  OF  MR  SANKEY. 

Ira  D.  Sankey  was  born  in  Edinburgh,  in  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania,  in  1840,  and  educated  amidst  the  influ- 
ences of  a  Christian  home.  His  pious  parents  dedicated 
him  to  God  in  infancy,  and  now  rejoice  over  the  signal 
blessings  that  attend  his  wonderful  career.  In  his  earli- 
est years  he  manifested  a  great  susceptibility  to  serious 
things,  and  was  often  moved  by  an  unusual  religious  in- 
terest in  the  community,  or  by  the  death  of  a  relative. 

At  the  age  of  fifteen,  under  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  he  yielded  his  heart  to  Jesus.  In  a  meeting  at 
Dundee  for  children,  he  gave  the  following  account  of 
his  earliest  religious  impressions.  The  first  impression 
that  was  made  upon  his  mind  was  when  he  was  a  little 
boy  on  his  father's  farm  in  Pennsylvania.  There  was  a 
man  living  on  an  adjoining  farm  from  Scotland,  by  the 
name  of  Fraser.  "  The  very  first  recollections  I  have  of 
any  thing  pertaining  to  a  holy  life  was  in  connection 
with  that  man.  I  remember  he  took  me  by  the  hand, 
along  with  his  own  boys,  to  the  Sabbath-school  —  that 
old  place,  which  I  will  remember  to  my  dying  day.  He 
was  a  plain  man,  and  I  can  see  him  standing  up  and 
praying  for  the  children.  He  had  a  great,  warm  heart, 
and  the  children  all  loved  him.  It  was  years  after  that 
when  I  was  converted,  but  my  impressions  were  received 
when  I  was  very  young  from  that  man." 


46  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

He  early  developed  a  love  for  music,  and  great  profi- 
ciency in  sacred  melody.  He  trained  the  children  of  the 
Sabbath-school  in  singing;  and  after  he  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  church,  he  conducted  the  service  of  praise  in 
the  sanctuary.  His  clear,  melodious  voice,  distinct  enun- 
ciation of  the  words  sung,  and  emotional  tones,  soon 
attracted  general  attention,  and  he  was  often  invited  to 
musical  circles,  and  to  conduct  the  singing  at  public 
meetings  and  conventions.  He  became  superintendent 
of  the  Sabbath -school,  and  was  an  active  worker  in 
Young  Men's  Christian  Associations.  His  cheerful  dis- 
position, frank  manners,  and  power  of  rendering  sacred 
song,  made  him  everywhere  a  welcomed  guest.  His 
singing  often  touched  the  heart,  and  souls  were  won  by 
it  to  Jesus.  At  a  children's  meeting  in  Edinburgh,  in 
January,  1874,  Mr.  Sankey  related  the  following  inci- 
dent: "I  want  to  speak  a  word  about  singing,  not  only 
to  the  little  folks,  but  to  grown  people.  During  the  win- 
ter after  the  great  Chicago  fire,  when  the  place  was  built 
up  with  little  frame  houses  for  the  poor  people  to  stay 
in,  a  mother  sent  for  me  one  day  to  come  and  see  her  lit- 
tle child,  who  was  one  of  our  Sabbath-school  scholars.  I 
remembered  her  very  well,  having  seen  her  in  the  meet- 
ings very  frequently,  and  was  glad  to  go.  She  was  ly- 
ing in  one  of  these  poor  little  huts,  every  thing  having 
been  burned  in  the  fire.  I  ascertained  that  she  was  past 
all  hopes  of  recovery,  and  that  they  were  waiting  for  the 
little  one  to  pass  away.  '  How  is  it  with  you  to-day  ?'  I 
asked.  With  a  beautiful  smile  on  her  face,  she  said,  'It 
is  all  well  with  me  to-day.  I  wish  you  would  speak  to 
my  father  and  mother.'  'But,'  said  I,  'are  you  a  Chris- 
tian?'    'Yes.'     '  When  did  you  become  one?'     'Do  you 


SKETCH  OF  MR.  SANKEY.  47 

remember  last  Thursday,  in  the  Tabernacle,  when  we  had 
that  little  singing-meeting,  and  you  sung  'Jesus  Loves 
even  Me?'  'Yes.'  'It  was  last  Thursday  I  believed 
on  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  now  I  am  going  to  be  with  him 
to-day.'  That  testimony  from  that  little  child,  in  that 
neglected  quarter  of  Chicago,  has  done  more  to  stimulate 
me  and  bring  me  to  this  country  than  all  that  the  pa- 
pers or  any  persons  might  say.  I  remember  the  joy  I 
had  in  looking  upon  that  beautiful  face.  She  went  up 
to  heaven,  and  no  doubt  said  she  learned  upon  the  earth 
that  Jesus  loved  her,  from  that  little  hymn.  If  you  want 
to  enjoy  a  blessing,  go  to  the  bedsides  of  these  bedridden 
and  dying  ones,  and  sing  to  them  of  Jesus,  for  they  can 
not  enjoy  these  meetings  as  you  do.  You  will  get  a 
great  blessing  to  your  own  soul." 

At  a  National  Convention  of  Youngs  Men's  Christian 
Associations  at  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  Mr.  Moody  first 
heard  Mr.  Sankey,  and  was  impressed  with  the  remark- 
able adaptation  of  his  voice  and  style  of  singing  to  awak- 
en the  emotions  and  carry  home  religious  truth  to  the 
heart.  On  conferring  together,  they  found  that  their 
love  of  mission  work  and  desires  for  extended  useful- 
ness were  mutual,  and  they  agreed  to  labor  together  in 
evangelistic  services. 

For  two  or  three  years  they  were  associated  in  Chica- 
go; and  the  union  of  Mr.  Sankey  s  services  of  song  and 
Mr.  Moody's  fervid  expositions  and  earnest  discourses  be- 
came a  new  and  recognized  power  for  the  extension  of 
Christ's  kingdom.  They  visited  other  cities  and  towns, 
and  both  constantly  gained  in  ability  to  deeply  impress 
large  assemblies.  God  was  with  them,  blessing  their 
efforts,  and  preparing  them  for  greater  things  to  come. 


48  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  W  GREAT  BRITAIX. 

Mr.  Moody  has  always  felt  the  necessity  of  devotional 
and  stirring  music  as  an  essential  part  of  public  worship, 
and  an  aid  in  preaching  the  Gospel.  It  is  his  belief  that 
divine  truth  may  be  presented  in  song  as  well  as  in  speech, 
and  that  often  it  is  thus  clothed  with  a  marvelously  at- 
tractive power.  The  sweet  tones  of  the  human  voice 
seem  to  search  down  into  the  hidden  chambers  of  the 
soul,  and  cause  the  tenderest  chords  to  vibrate  under 
the  subtile  touch  of  Gospel  truth.  Heaven  being  the 
source  whence  truth  comes,  and  being  filled  with  music, 
the  doctrines  of  Christianity  float  in  their  native  element 
when  enveloped  in  sacred  song. 

Shortly  before  leaving  America,  Mr.  Sankey  had 
pressing  invitations  to  spend  six  months  in  a  tour  with 
a  friend  through  the  cities  on  the  Pacific  coast,  to  sing 
sacred  songs.  But,  after  seeking  divine  direction,  he 
was  convinced  that  it  was  his  duty  to  accompany  Mr. 
Moody  to  Great  Britain ;  and  the  results  abundantly 
show  the  wisdom  of  his  decision. 

The  general  and  high  appreciation  of  his  services  in 
every  city  in  which  he  has  sung  is  testified  to  by  many 
competent  witnesses.  One  writer  says:  "As  a  vocalist, 
Mr.  Sankey  has  not  many  equals.  Possessed  of  a  voice 
of  great  volume  and  richness,  he  expresses  with  exquisite 
skill  and  pathos  the  Gospel  message,  in  words  very  sim- 
ple, but  'replete  with  love  and  tenderness,'  and  always 
with  marked  effect  upon  his  audience.  It  is,  however, 
altogether  a  mistake  to  suppose  that  the  blessing  which 
attends  Mr.  Sankey's  efforts  is  attributable  only  or  chief- 
ly to  his  fine  voice  and  artistic  expression.  These,  no 
doubt,  are  very  attractive,  and  go  far  to  move  the  affec- 
tions and  gratify  a  taste  for  music;  but  the  secret  of  Mr. 


SKETCH  OF  MB.  SANKEY.  49 

San  key's  power  lies,  not  in  his  gift  of  song,  but  in  the 
spirit  of  which  the  song  is  only  the  expression.  He,  too, 
is  a  man  in  earnest,  and  sings  in  the  fall  confidence  that 
God  is  working  by  him.  Like  his  colleague,  he  likewise 
has  a  message  to  lost  men  from  God  the  Father;  and  the 
Spirit  of  God  in  him  finds  a  willing  and  effective  instru- 
ment in  his  gift  of  song,  to  proclaim  in  stirring  notes  the 
'mighty  love'  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  'It  was  a  few 
evenings  ago,' said  a  youth  in  the  Young  Men's  Meeting 
in  Roby  Chapel,  'when  Mr.  Sankey  was  singing  in  the 
Free  Trade  Hall  "  Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by,"  that  I 
was  made  to  feel  my  need  of  a  Saviour;  and  when  he 
came  to  these  words,  "  Too  late,  too  late,"  I  said  to  my- 
self it  must  not  be  too  late  for  me,  and  I  took  him  to  my 
heart  there  and  then.'  'I  was  in  great  darkness  and  trou- 
ble for  some  days,'  said  a  poor  woman,  rejoicing  and  yet 
weeping;  'and  just  a  little  time  ago,  when  Mr.  Sankey 
was  singing  these  words'  (pointing  to  them  with  her  fin- 
ger), '"And  Jesus  bids  me  come,"  my  bonds  were  broken 
in  a  moment,  and  now  I  am  safe  in  his  arms.' 

"Who  ever  heard  of  a  fine  voice  and  sweet  music 
yielding  such  results  as  these?  It  is  mere  scoffing  to 
say  that  Mr.  Moody's  touching  stories  and  Mr.  Sankey's 
sweet  singing  are  the  secret  of  the  power  exercised  by 
these  men.  The  work  is  of  God,  and  they  are  his  in- 
struments, each  earnestly  using,  to  the  best  of  his  ability, 
the  gift  that  God  has  given  him,  in  the  full  confidence 
that  the  blessing  will  and  must  follow." 

Another  says:  "Not  a  few  have  been,  not  unnatural- 
ly, offended  by  the  phrase,  'Singing  the  Gospel,'  which 
was  at  first  used  in  advertisements;  and  some  have,  un- 
fortunately, never  taken  the  trouble  to  inquire  what  was 

3 


50  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

meant.  But  every  one  who  has  beard  Mr.  Sankey  sing 
is  well  aware  that  bis  hymns  are  more  tban  tbe  mere  ac- 
cessory to  speeches,  as  they  have  too  often  been  among  us. 
He  has  taught  by  example  how  great  is  the  power  of  song 
when  a  man  with  gifts  of  music  loves  the  truth  of  which 
he  sings;  and  the  hymns  which  we  have  heard  him  sing, 
with  his  wonderful  distinctness  of  articulation,  unaffected 
feeling,  and  magnificent  voice,  will  linger  in  our  ears  and 
hearts  till  our  dying  day.  A  few  weeks  have  made  his 
favorite  hymns  as  familiar  to  every  rank  and  to  every 
age  as  those  older  hymns  which  we  have  known  best  and 
longest.  Poor  sufferers  in  the  wards  of  the  infirmary, 
lone  old  men  and  women  in  dark  rooms  of  our  high 
houses  and  back  streets,  are  now  cheered  in  a  way  no  one 
dreamed  of  before  Mr.  Sankey  came,  by  visits  from  those 
who  do  not  attempt  to  preach  to  them,  but  only  to  sing 
psalms  and  hymns  and  spiritual  songs.  The  consoling 
power  of  song  has  been  tested  and  proved  at  many  a 
sick-bed,  and  many  a  death-bed.  And  that  is  not  all ; 
for  we  have  been  led  to  see  that  it  is  a  mistake  to  con- 
fine song  to  utterances  of  praise  or  prayer  in  Christian 
meetings.  We  have  learned  to  value  more  highly  its 
power  in  instruction.  The  use  of  song  for  instruction 
and  for  the  application  of  the  truth  is  not  new.  It  is  as 
old  as  David,  as  old  as  Moses,  but  it  has  received  a  new 
impetus  among  us;  and  we  who  are  called  to  'teach  and 
admonish  one  another  in  psalms  and  hymns  and  spirit- 
ual songs,'  may  well  be  glad  to  have  been  reminded  how 
this  may  be  done." 

Another  writes:  "The  admiration  of  Mr.  Sankey's 
music  is  enthusiastic.  When  he  sings  a  solo  a  death- 
like silence  reigns,  or,  as  the  Irish    Times  describes  it, 


SKETCH  OF  MR.  SANKEY.  51 

'It  seems  that  he  only  is  present  in  the  vast  building.' 
When  he  ceases  there  is  a  rustling  like  the  leaves  of  a 
forest  when  stirred  by  the  wind.  We  might  apply  to 
him  the  language  of  Scripture:  'Lo!  thou  art  unto  them 
as  a  very  lovely  song  of  one  who  hath  a  pleasant  voice, 
and  can  play  well  on  an  instrument.'  No  one  can  esti- 
mate the  service  he  has  rendered  to  the  Church  of  Christ 
by  the  compilation  of  his  book  of  '  Sacred  Songs '  and 
their  sweet  tunes.  They  are  the  delight  of  all  ages.  I 
have  heard  in  Scotland  that  already  they  are  sung  in  our 
most  distant  colonies.  Ere  long  I  believe  that  they  will 
be  sung  wherever  the  English  language  is  spoken  over 
the  earth.  Nor  will  they  be  confined  to  that  language, 
for  a  lady  is  at  present  engaged  in  translating  them  into 
German.  It  was  Fletcher,  of  Saltoun,  who  said,  'Let  me 
make  the  songs  of  a  country,  and  I  care  not  who  make 
its  laws.'  " 

Mrs.  Barbour,  with  her  graphic  pen,  says  :  "  Mr.  San  key 
sinscs  with  the  conviction  that  souls  are  receiving  Jesus 
between  one  note  and  the  next.  The  stillness  is  over- 
awing ;  some  of  the  lines  are  more  spoken  than  sung. 
The  hymns  are  equally  used  for  awakening,  none  more 
than  'Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by.'  When  you  hear 
the  '  Ninety  and  Nine '  sung,  you  know  of  a  truth  that 
down  in  this  corner,  up  in  that  gallery,  behind  that  pil- 
lar which  hides  the  singer's  face  from  the  listener,  the 
hand  of  Jesus  has  been  finding  this  and  that  and  yonder 
lost  one,  to  place  them  in  his  fold.  A  certain  class  of 
hearers  come  to  the  services  solely  to  hear  Mr.  Sankey, 
and  the  song  throws  the  Lord's  net  around  them. 

"  We  asked  Mr.  Sankey  one  day  what  he  was  to  sing. 
He  said, '  I'll  not  know  till  I  hear  how  Mr.  Moody   is 


52  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

closing.'  Again,  we  were  driving  to  the  Canongate  Par- 
ish Church  one  winter  night,  and  Mr.  Sankey  said  to  the 
young  minister  who  had  come  for  him,  'I  am  thinking 
of  singing  "I  am  so  Glad"  to-night.'  'Oh!'  said  the 
young  man,  'please  do  rather  sing  "Jesus  of  Nazareth." 
An  old  man  told  me  to-day  that  he  had  been  awakened 
by  it  the  last  night  you  were  down.  He  said,  "It  just 
went  through  me  like  an  electric  shock."  ' 

"A  gentleman  in  Edinburgh  was  in  distress  of  soul, 
and  happened  to  linger  in  a  pew  after  the  noon-meeting. 
The  choir  had  remained  to  practice,  and  began  'Free  from 
the  Law,  0  happy  Condition,'  etc.  Quickly  the  Spirit  of 
God  carried  that  truth  home  to  the  awakened  conscience, 
and  he  was  at  rest  in  the  finished  work  of  Jesus. 

"It  is  interesting  to  know  that  there  are  scarcely  two 
of  those  hymns  which  Mr.  Sankey  sings  by  the  same  au- 
thor. They  have  been  collected  during  an  eight  years' 
experience  of  the  Lord's  use  of  them  among  believers, 
inquirers,  and  the  careless.  In  the  singing  of  them  he 
seems  to  become  unconscious  of  every  thing  but  the  de- 
sire that  the  truth  should  sink  deep  into  the  souls  of  the 
listeners,  and  that  the  people  who  sit  in  darkness  should 
see  a  great  light  shining  for  them  from  the  cross  of  him 
who  hung  upon  the  tree. 

"In  a  Highland  parish,  a  young  man  who  had  lived 
far  from  God.  and  seemed  to  his  minister  inaccessible  to 
the  truth,  was  found  one  day  last  summer  deeply  awaken- 
ed. When  asked  to  what  this  was  owing,  he  said  it  was 
in  consequence  of  hearing  his  little  sister  sing, 

1  When  he  cometh,  when  he  cometh, 
To  make  op  his  jewels.' 

"  Perhaps  not  a  week  has  passed  during  the  last  year 


SKETCH  OF  MB.. SANKEY.  53 

in  which  we  have  not  had  evidence  that  the  Lord  had 
directly  used  a  line  of  one  of  these  hymns,  in  the  salva- 
tion of  some  soul.  A  young  man  who  had  been  deeply 
impressed,  and  was  yet  unwilling  to  stay  to  the  inquirers' 
meeting,  and  about  to  leave  a  church,  was  arrested  at  the 
door  by  hearing  the  choir  sing,  '  Yet  there  is  Koom.'  He 
felt  there  was  room  for  him,  went  back  to  the  pew,  and 
after  having  the  truth  clearly  laid  before  him,  received 
Christ. 

"  The  wave  of  sacred  song  has  spread  over  Ireland, 
and  is  now  sweeping  through  England.  But,  indeed,  it 
is  not  being  confined  to  the  United  Kingdom  alone,  for 
away  off  on  the  shores  of  India,  and  in  many  other  lands, 
these  sweet  songs  of  a  Saviour's  love  are  being  sung. 
Mr.  Sankey's  collection  of  sacred  songs  has  been  trans- 
lated into  five  or  six  languages,  and  are  winging  their 
way  into  tens  of  thousands  of  hearts  and  homes,  and  the 
blessing  of  the  Lord  seems  to  accompany  them  wherever 
sung. 

'We  may  forget  the  singer, 
But  will  ne'er  forget  the  song.'" 

Mr.  Sankey  can  speak  as  well  as  sing  for  Jesus ;  and 
his  earnest  words,  as  we  shall  see  in  the  following  narra- 
tive, have  been  greatly  blessed,  as  well  as  his  thrilling 
songs.  Mr.  Sankey  in  his  tour  is  accompanied  by  his 
wife  and  two  sons.  A  third  son  has  been  born  to  them 
in  Scotland.  Mrs.  Sankey  is  an  earnest  Christian  wom- 
an, and  fully  sympathizes  with  her  husband  in  his  bless- 
ed work.  Both  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Church ; 
while  his  sweet  songs  float  over  and  inspire  multitudes 
in  all  Christian  denominations. 


54  THE   WORE  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 


III. 

THE  LIGHT  KINDLED. 

"A  light  to  lighten  the  Gentiles,  and  the  glory  of  thy  people  Israel." — 
Luke  ii.,  32. 

In  June,  1873,  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  landed  in 
Liverpool.  Their  efforts  in  that  city  being  attended  by 
no  encouragement,  they  passed  on  to  York,  where,  hav- 
ing sought  divine  guidance  and  power,  they  went  forth 
to  open  upon  the  strongholds  of  evil.  The  progress  they 
made  was  slow,  not  being  aided  at  first  by  the  clergy, 
and  many  professing  Christians  looking  upon  them  with 
suspicion ;  and  being  unknown  to  the  inhabitants,  they 
had  for  a  time  to  rely  upon  their  faith  and  hope.  In 
this  reliance  they  had  been  so  thoroughly  drilled  in  past 
years,  that  they  were  prepared  for  whatever  might  come. 
At  any  time  they  were  glad  of  success;  but  if  difficulties 
and  obstacles  stood  in  their  way,  by  overcoming  them 
they  extracted  their  power,  and  added  it  to  their  own 
personal  force.  Those  who  went  out  to  see  them  did 
not  go  to  see  "reeds  shaken  with  the  wind." 

They  held  their  meetings,  conversed  with  sinners, 
prayed  to  God,  and  men  and  women  began  to  ask  what 
they  must  do  to  be  saved.  Here  they  labored  a  month, 
the  meetings  increasing  in  numbers  and  interest.  Mr. 
David  Smith,  who  greatly  aided  the  evangelists,  estimates 
the  number  of  converts  within  his  knowledge  at  about 
two  hundred. 


THE  LIGHT  KINDLED.  55 

Leaving  york,  and  laboring  for  a  time  in  Sunderland, 
they  went,  in  August,  to  Newcastle,  the  residence  of  the 
late  Mr.  Bainbridge,  who  had  invited  them  to  England. 
Here  the  light  was  kindled  that  shone  over  Great  Brit- 
ain, and  revealed  the  presence  of  men  of  God,  who  had 
come  to  accomplish  his  merciful  purposes. 

At  this  time  Messrs.  Morgan  and  Scott,  of  London, 
special  friends  of  Mr.  Moody,  issued  the  first  edition  of 
"The  Sacred  Songs  and  Solos  sung  by  Mr.  San  key  at 
Gospel  meetings,  conducted  by  D.  L.  Moody."  Other 
editions  followed,  with  additional  hymns,  selected  with 
great  care  with  reference  to  the  stirring  evangelical 
work,  to  the  success  of  which  they  have  so  largely  con- 
tributed. After  laboring  here  for  three  weeks,  God 
granted  them  rich  blessings. 

The  following  account  of  the  revival  is  from  The 
Christian*  of  London,  for  September  18th,  1873: 

"Every  morning  at  twelve  o'clock,  in  the  Music-hall, 
there  has  been  a  meeting  for  prayer,  praise,  and  exhor- 
tation, at  which  have  been  gathered  from  two  to  three 
hundred  people,  all  earnestly  desiring  the  revival  of  God's 
work  in  that  irreligious  town,  and  daily  bearing  before 
God  numerous  written  requests  from  believers,  for  their 
unconverted  relatives  and  friends.  These  prayer-meet- 
ings have  been  felt  by  all  to  be  true  means  of  grace  to 
the  hearts  of  God's  children,  and  numerous  and  striking 
have  been  the  answers  to  prayer  for  the  unconverted. 
Every  evening,  in  the  Music-hall  and  Eye-hill  Chapel, 

*  I  have  been  informed  that  Mr.  Morgan,  one  of  the  publishers  of  this 
excellent  paper,  that  is  reporting  with  such  fullness  and  accuracy  the 
great  awakening,  was  in  this  country  before  Mr.  Moody's  departure,  and 
used  his  influence  to  have  him  come  to  England. 


56  THE  WOKE  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

Gospel  services  have  been  held,  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr. 
Moorhouse  preaching  the  Gospel,  and  Mr.  Sankey  sing- 
ing his  sweet  spiritual  songs.  At  the  commencement 
of  this  glorious  work,  Rye-hill  Chapel,  which  will  accom- 
modate from  sixteen  to  seventeen  hundred  people,  was 
used;  but,  as  many  had  to  go  away,  not  being  able  to 
get  in,  it  was  thought  advisable  to  have  two  services  on 
the  same  evening;  hence  the  Music-hall,  where  Mr.  Hoyle 
is  carrying  on  a  noble  work  for  Jesus,  was  opened  each 
night,  and  hundreds  have  attended  there  to  hear  the 
preaching  of  the  word  ;  and  many  have  been  born  again 
by  the  regenerating  power  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 

"In  connection  with  these  services,  Mr.  Moody,  with 
that  indefatigable  zeal  and  fervor  which  so  eminently 
characterize  him,  announced  that  he  intended  to  have  an 
1  all-day '  meeting  on  Wednesday,  September  10th,  and 
earnestly  invited  all  who  could  possibly  come  to  attend. 
An  all-day  meeting  was  something  so  novel  in  the  histo- 
ry of  religious  people  in  Newcastle,  that  much  wonder 
was  excited  as  to  what  would  be  the  result  of  so  bold  an 
undertaking.  Many  anticipated  a  failure,  others  thought 
that  it  might  be  a  success;  but  those  who  felt  the  reviv- 
ing power  of  God's  love,  and  had  made  this  meeting  a 
matter  of  earnest  prayer,  knew  that  it  would  not,  could 
not  fail.  According  to  their  faith  it  was  done  unto  them. 
Wednesday  morning  broke  clear  and  beautiful.  It  was 
a  day  when  all  nature  seemed  to  be  rejoicing  in  the  glad 
sunshine  of  the  great  Father's  beneficence. 

"At  ten  o'clock,  the  hour  for  the  service  to  commence, 
the  wide  area  of  Rye-hill  Chapel  was  about  half  filled, 
and  the  people  coming  in  quickly.  By  eleven  o'clock 
the  friends  from  Sunderland,  Shields,  Jarrow,  and  neigh- 


THE  LIGHT  KINDLED.  57 

boring  towns,  had  come  in  by  train,  and  had  occupied 
nearly  the  whole  of  the  area.  At  twelve  o'clock  the  mes- 
sage came,  '  No  more  room  in  the  area ;  we  must  throw 
the  galleries  open.'  By  two  o'clock  the  galleries  were 
well  filled,  and  before  the  closing  hour  came  round  the 
spacious  and  beautiful  chapel  was  filled  with  those  who 
had  left  business,  home  cares  and  work,  pleasure  and 
idleness,  to  come  and  worship  God  and  hear  his  word. 
Never  was  the  faith  of  God's  people  more  abundantly 
satisfied.  They  asked  and  it  was  given,  they  sought 
and  found,  they  knocked  and  the  door  was  opened  unto 
them. 

"According  to  the  programme  which  Mr.  Moody  had 
distributed  largely  over  the  town,  the  first  hour  of  the 
services  was  to  be  devoted  entirely  to  prayer  and  Bible- 
reading. 

"After  the  singing  of  that  beautiful  hymn,  'Sweet 
Hour  of  Prayer,'  Mr.  Moody  led  the  devotions  of  God's 
people  at  the  thro'ne  of  grace,  and  then  read  and  com- 
mented on  Nehemiah  viii.,  1-12,  where  it  is  stated  that 
'  all  the  people  gathered  themselves  together  as  one  man 
....  and  they  spake  unto  Ezra  the  scribe  to  bring  the 
book  of  the  law  of  Moses,  which  the  Lord  had  command- 
ed Israel.'  Mr.  Moody  clearly  brought  out  the  appropri- 
ateness of  this  Scripture  to  the  services  of  that  day,  and 
concluded  by  unfolding  and  pressing  home  to  the  hearts 
of  the  people  the  joyous  truth  contained  in  the  tenth 
verse,  where  Ezra  said  to  the  people,  '  Go  your  way,  eat 
the  fat,  and  drink  the  sweet,  and  send  portions  unto  them 
for  whom  nothing  is  prepared :  for  this  day  is  holy  unto 
our  Lord  :  neither  be  ye  sorry ;  for  the  joy  of  the  Lord 
is  your  strength.' 

3* 


58      THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

"  Mr.  Hoyle,  Mr.  Swinburne,  and  several  of  the  breth- 
ren spoke  from  the  Word  of  God  on  the  subject  of 
Christian  joy,  and  the  hour  of  prayer  and  Bible-reading 
was  gone  before  we  had  well  begun  to  open  the  Scrip- 
tures. This  hour  was  felt  to  be  exceedingly  precious, 
and  was  received  by  all  as  an  earnest  of  what  was  to 
come. 

"  The  second  hour  was  devoted  to  the  promises,  Mr. 
Moody  being  the  leader.  He  said  be  wished  the  friends 
that  day  to  try  to  see  how  rich  they  were.  He  thought 
that  very  few  of  us  had  ever  fully  considered  how  much 
our  loving  Father  really  had  promised  to  us.  These 
promises,  like  precious  gems,  were  to  be  found  in  every 
book  of  the  Bible,  and  that  day  we  might  get  into  the 
company  of  all  God's  great  men  w7ho  had  passed  away, 
and  hear  what  things  the}'  had  to  tell  us  about  our  Fa- 
ther's love.  We  could  summon  the  patriarchs  —  the 
prophets — the  priests — the  kings;  we  could  listen  to  the 
historians — the  biographers  —  the  pOets  of  the  Bible; 
and  they  would  all  give  to  us  some  of  the  precious  prom- 
ises spoken  by  God,  through  their  lives  to  the  ears  of  the 
whole  world.  The  meeting  was  to  be  quite  open  and 
free;  not  for  speeches  about  promises,  but  for  the  read- 
ing forth  of  these  good  words  of  God  to  our  souls.  The 
audience  at  once  seemed  to  catch  up  the  spirit  and  inten- 
tion of  these  words,  and  from  every  part  of  the  chapel — 
from  young  and  old,  from  male  and  female — came  pas- 
sage after  passage  of  the  Holy  Word,  declarative  of  what 
in  the  boundless  fullness  of  his  love  the  Father  has  prom- 
ised to  all." 

The  interest  of  the  meeting  had  been  steadily  rising, 
as  one  Scriptural  topic  after  another  had  been  most  cle- 


THE  LIGHT  KINDLED.  59 

ligh.tfu.lly  unfolded,  when  the  last  hour  was  reached,  and 
appropriately  given  to  the  subject  of  Heaven. 

"  The  address  was  given  by  Mr.  Moody.  Having  se- 
lected numerous  passages  of  Scripture  to  prove  his  points, 
Mr.  Moody  asked  some  of  the  brethren  present  to  read 
them  out  as  he  called  for  them.  This  was  a  delightful 
picture — a  crowded  chapel  —  hundreds  of  open  Bibles 
ready  to  be  marked  when  the  passage  should  be  an- 
nounced, and  the  subject  uppermost  in  each  mind  heav- 
en. The  first  thought  which  the  speaker  called  atten- 
tion to  was  the  locality  of  heaven.  He  said  that  his  mind 
had  once  been  much  distressed  by  an  infidel  asking  him 
'  why  he  always  looked  upward  when  he  was  addressing 
God?  God  was  everywhere,  and  his  home  was  just  as 
likely  to  be  below  as  above.'  This  set  Mr.  Moody  back 
to  his  Bible  to  see  what  it  had  to  say  about  the  matter. 
He  was  soon  quite  satisfied  that  God's  home  was  above. 
The  Word  said  that  God,  when  communing  with  Abra- 
ham, came  down  to  see  whether  the  people  living  in  the 
cities  of  the  plain  had  done  altogether  according  to  the 
cry  that  had  come  to  him  ;  the  angels  asked  the  disciples 
on  the  morning  of  the  ascension  why  they  stood  gazing 
up  into  heaven  ;  the  same  Jesus  that  had  been  taken  up 
from  them  into  heaven  would  come  again  in  like  man- 
ner. These  and  similar  passages  were  sufficient  proof 
to  his  mind  that  the  home  of  God  was  above,  and  that 
we  obeyed  a  divine  instinct  when  we  'lifted  up'  our 
hearts  to  him  there. 

"  The  locality  having  been  spoken  of,  the  next  thought 
was  the  company  gathered  together  there.  Whom  have 
we  there  that  heaven  should  be  so  dear  to  us? 

"(1)  The  Father  is  there.      Heaven  is  the  home,  the 


60  THE   WORE  OF  GOD  IN  GEE  AT  BRITAIN. 

dwelling-place  of  God.  INTo  home  is  complete  without 
the  father;  and  no  family  is  complete  unless  they  can 
include  the  father  among  them.  Our  Father  is  in  heav- 
en. How  delightful  the  thought  of  one  day  being  with 
him  amidst  all  the  joy  and  splendor  of  home !  Then  (2) 
Jesus  is  there.  He  about  whom  we  have  read,  whose 
Spirit  has  created  us  anew  in  him,  whose  blood  bought 
us,  and  whose  love  saved  us ;  Jesus  is  there ;  and  we 
look  to  our  home  in  heaven  with  longing  eyes,  because 
there,  if  not  before,  we  shall  see  him  who  is  crowned 
with  glory  and  honor.  Then  (3)  the  angels  are  there. 
The  pure  and  spotless  creations  of  God,  who  have  known 
nothing  of  sin  and  sorrow  and  travail,  who  have  ever 
lived  their  life  of  bright  intelligence  and  holy  service  in 
the  sunshine  of  God's  presence.  These  are  there,  and 
we  shall  meet  them,  and  tell  them  of  something  they 
have  never  felt — the  compassion  and  love  of  Jesus  for 
vsinful  men.  Then  (4)  there  will  be  the  saints,  the  spirits 
of  just  men  made  perfect.  All  the  old  heroes  of  God, 
the  warriors  and  the  kings,  the  prophets  and  the  poets, 
the  apostles  and  the  early  martyrs,  all  will  be  there,  and 
we  shall  be  able  to  hold  sweet  communion  with  them 
all ;  and  our  own  loved  ones,  the  father  and  mother,  sis- 
ters and  brothers,  the  babes,  and  the  young  and  old,  they 
will  be  among  this  shining  band,  who  swell  the  ranks 
of  the  redeemed  before  the  throne  of  God.  Oh  what  a 
company  is  there !  Father,  Jesus,  angels,  saints — all  who 
have  fallen  asleep  in  Jesus — all  there !  Waiting  for  us 
to  come. 

"Another  point  to  which  Mr.  Moody  called  attention 
was  that  it  is  our  treasure-house.  The  only  things  we 
have  or  can  have,  as  saints,  will  be  found  there.     All 


THE  LIGHT  KINDLED.  61 

else  must  be  left.  Death  strips  of  every  thing  but  heav- 
enly treasure.  How  this  should  lead  us  more  and  more 
to  obey  the  Master's  injunction,  and  seek  c  to  lay  up  treas- 
ure in  heaven.'  It  will  be  there  all  safe  when  we  want 
it;  for  there  neither  moth  nor  rust  doth  corrupt,  and 
thieves  do  not  break  through  and  steal.  Not  only  is 
heaven  our  treasure-house — it  is  our  reward.  There  we 
meet  with  the  full  fruition  of  all  our  labor ;  there  we  re- 
ceive every  man  his  own  reward  for  his  own  work.  No 
mixing  up,  no  confusion ;  to  each  is  given  his  full  due. 
The  Christian  need  not  expect  full  compensation  below ; 
he  will  not  get  it.  Heaven — and  in  heaven  he  will  re- 
ceive all  that  he  expects.  Mr.  Moody  next  spoke  very 
beautifully  about  heaven  being  the  place  where  our  names 
are  written.  The  disciples  of  Christ  came  back  to  him 
from  one  of  their  journeys  flushed  with  victory,  because 
even  the  devils  had  been  subject  unto  them ;  but  the 
Master  said  they  had  to  rejoice  because  their  names  were 
written  in  heaven.  Our  names  have  gone  on  before  us. 
Just  as  a  man  sends  his  goods  often  before  him  when 
he  is  traveling,  and  he  himself  follows  after,  just  so  our 
names  have  gone  on  before,  and  we  are  journeying  after 
them.  We  are  known  in  heaven  before  we  get  there. 
The  name  of  each  saint  is  in  the  book  of  life,  and  it  can 
not  be  blotted  out.  Then,  again,  heaven  is  to  be  our 
rest.  The  time  to  toil  and  suffer  is  now.  We  ouerht  not 
to  want  to  rest  here.  Mr.  Moody,  on  this  point,  quoted 
the  example  which  the  life  of  Paul  gives  us  of  a  man 
who  conceived  of  the  present  being  a  life  of  service,  and 
not  of  rest.  The  speaker's  soul  seemed  to  be  set  on  fire 
with  the  thought  of  Paul's  labors  and  consecrated  ambi- 
tion to  serve  the  Master ;  with  words  of  true  eloquence 


62  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

he  described  the  sacred  passion  which  Paul  had  for  his 
Master's  work,  and  wound  up  a  splendid  paneg\Tric  on 
Paul's  character,  bj  wishing  that  modern  Christianity 
could  be  imbued  with  some  of  Paul's  fervor. 

"The  last  point  of  this  noble  address  was,  'How  to 
get  to  heaven.'  And  here  Mr.  Moody  found  an  opportu- 
nity for  doing  that  which  is  so  dear  to  his  heart,  name- 
ly, preaching  the  Gospel  of  Christ  to  sinful  men.  The 
address,  which  throughout  had  been  interspersed  with 
touching  and  beautiful  illustrations,  and  now  and  again 
by  Mr.  Sankey  singing,  was  brought  to  a  close  with  an 
earnest  appeal  to  all  'to  become  as  little  children,  and 
so  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven.'  Once  more,  as  it  had 
been  many  times  that  day,  was  our  dear  brother  San- 
key's  voice  heard  giving  his  beautiful  rendering  of  one 
of  his  choice  solos,  and  when  the  benediction  had  been 
pronounced,  and  the  six  hours'  service  had  come  to  a 
close,  all  present  felt  that  the  time  had  gone  too  quickly. 
The  place  of  meeting  had  been  none  other  than  the  house 
of  God  and  the  gate  of  heaven.  Thus  ended  the  'all- 
day  '  meeting,  but,  thank  God,  not  thus  ended  the  mem- 
ory of  it;  that  will  live  till  the  last  year  of  our  lives,  and 
many  a  soul  traveling  home  to  God  will  think  of  it  as 
one  of  the  deep  pools  by  the  way  dug  by  the  hand  of  a 
loving  God  for  the  refreshment  of  his  children. 

"In  the  evening  a  Gospel  service  was  held,  Messrs. 
Moody  and  Moorhouse  speaking;  the  chapel  was  filled 
to  overflowing,  and  many  souls  went  away  having  found 
peace  in  Jesus." 

Our  limits  will  not  allow  us  to  follow  in  detail  the 
numerous  meetings  held  at  Newcastle.  They  were  the 
types  and  forerunners,  and  bore  the  characteristics  of  the 


THE  LIGHT  KINDLED.  63 

great  meetings  we  are  to  describe,  that  were  to  follow  in 
the  large  cities.  The  same  measures  were  adopted,  the 
same  stirring  effects  were  produced  upon  all  classes,  and 
the  same  results  seen  in  the  quickening  of  Christian  pro- 
fessors and  the  conversion  of  sinners.  Here  God  set  up 
his  tabernacle  that  was  to  accompany  these  brethren  in 
their  march  through  the  whole  land.  Here  he  appeared 
in  the  cloud  of  mercy  by  day,  and  in  the  pillar  of  fire, 
the  token  of  his  presence  by  night.  Nor  did  the  Israel- 
ites follow  more  closely  the  guiding  cloud,  resting  when 
it  rested,  and  moving  when  it  moved,  than  these  servants 
of  the  Most  High  God  followed  the  guidance  of  the  di- 
vine Spirit. 

The  hour  had  arrived  for  the  departure  of  the  evan- 
gelists from  Newcastle.  A  meeting  had  been  held  of 
delegates,  who  had  come  together  from  several  counties, 
to  consider  the  work  of  God.  They  had  sent  "to  all  the 
region  round  about,  and  called  the  elders  of  the  church," 
and  now  they  were  "sorrowing  most  of  all  for  the  words 
which  they  spake,  that  they  should  see  their  face  no 
more."  "Never,"  says  an  eye-witness,  "shall  we  forget 
Mr.  Moody's  farewell  address  to  these.  He  would  not 
say  'Good-bye!'  No!  'Good-night'  rather,  and  meet 
them  all  in  the  morning,  in  the  dawn  of  eternal  day. 
Then  strong  men  bowed  and  wept  out  their  manly  sor- 
row like  children,  blessed  children  as  they  were  of  the 
same  great  Father;  and  one  of  our  brothers  lifted  our 
American  friends  up  in  the  arms  of  love  in  prayer  to  our 
heavenly  Father,  the  Jubilee  Singers  singing  thereupon, 
'  Shall  we  meet  beyond  the  River?'  Then  came  the  ben- 
ediction. The  business  was  over,  and  the  grand  occasion 
past,  the  memory  thereof  to  die  no  more. 


64  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

"Although  our  friends  took  leave  thus  of  the  country 
brethren,  they  tarried  with  us,  the  people  of  Newcastle, 
yet  a  while.  On  that  Wednesday  night,  Thursday  night, 
and  Friday,  were  immense  meetings,  attended  by  thou- 
sands, overflowing  into  neighboring  churches,  although 
Brunswick  Place  Chapel  would  itself  hold  two  thou- 
sand. At  these  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  were  pres- 
ent. Scores  were  converted.  They  were  present  at  the 
noonday  meetings  of  Thursday,  Friday,  and  Saturday, 
at  the  last  of  which  between  two  and  three  thousand 
people  met  from  eleven  to  half-past  one  o'clock.  On  Fri- 
day there  was  a  midnight  meeting,  and  four  were  rescued 
from  sin  and  shame.  The  Saturday  meeting  was  the  last 
attended  by  Mr.  Moody.  Hundreds  had  private  conver- 
sation with  him  afterward,  and  crowds  went  with  him  to 
the  station,  en  route  for  Carlisle." 

While  the  revival  was  progressing  at  Newcastle, 
Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  made  short  visits  to  Dar- 
lington, Stockton,  Middlesborough,  Jarrow,  North  and 
South  Shields,  and  Carlisle.  In  these  fields  they  planted 
the  precious  seed,  leaving  others  to  water  it,  and  God  to 
give  the  increase. 


THE  WORK  IN  SCOTLAND.* 


I 

EDINBURGH. 

"He  that  goeth  forth  and  weepeth,  bearing  precious  seed,  shall  doubt- 
less come  again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  his  sheaves  with  him." — Psalm 
cxxvi.,  6. 

Scotland  is  no  stranger  to  especial  outpourings  of 
God's  Spirit.  In  the  sixteenth  century,  under  the  bold 
preaching  of  John  Knox,  all  classes  felt  his  power,  from 
the  throne  to  the  humblest  cottage.  An  English  am- 
bassador said  that  his  preaching  "  put  more  life  into  him 
than  six  hundred  trumpets."  Under  his  earnest  appeals 
many  soldiers  enlisted  in  the  Christian  army ;  long-es- 
tablished evils  were  broken  up;  and  we  doubt  if  the  vi- 
brations caused  by  his  spiritual  thunder  have  yet  ceased 
in  the  nation. 

*  For  the  narrative  given  in  the  following  pages,  I  am  chiefly  indebted 
to  The  Christian  and  The  British  Evangelist,  published  in  London,  The 
Witness,  of  Belfast,  and  the  two  weekly  journals,  Signs  of  our  Times,  and 
Times  of  Blessing.  As  I  draw  the  materials  from  various  sources,  I  have 
not  thought  it  best  to  interrupt  the  flow  of  a  continuous  narrative  by  con- 
stant allusions  to  my  authorities,  though  many  are  given.  My  aim  is  to 
present  as  condensed  and  vivid  a  view  as  possible  of  the  great  awakening 
in  each  city,  mainly  obtained  from  these  most  excellent  and  trustworthy 
British  journals. 


Q6  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

In  1741,  by  invitation  of  the  Erskines,  Whitefield  vis- 
ited Scotland,  and  preached  in  Edinburgh,  Glasgow,  and 
Aberdeen,  with  great  success.  His  matchless  eloquence 
and  spiritual  fervor  drew  vast  throngs ;  and  his  com- 
munion services  were,  at  times,  administered  in  the 
presence  of  nearly  twenty  thousand  people. 

But  now  there  enter  Edinburgh  two  men  bearing  the 
humble  title  of  evangelists.  They  have  neither  the  intel- 
lectual strength  of  John  Knox,  nor  the  glowing  and  lofty 
eloquence  of  George  Whitefield  ;  they  are  plain  men,  en- 
dued with  power  from  on  high.  They  come  by  invitation 
of  those  who  have  heard  of  the  Lord's  doings  in  Newcastle. 
Mr.  Kelman,  of  Leith,  went  twice  to  Newcastle  to  see  if 
the  reports  of  what  they  had  heard  were  true.  He  re- 
turned overflowing  with  joy,  and  full  of  glowring  expec- 
tations for  Scotland. 

Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  reached  Edinburgh  about 
the  middle  of  November,  1873.  The  prominent  clergy- 
men and  laymen  of  the  city  received  them  with  hearty 
cordiality. 

Dr.  Thompson,  who  had  taken  the  deepest  interest  in 
the  meetings,  says,  under  date  of  December  9th,  1873  : 
"I  should  consider  it  a  very  superfluous  work  to  say 
any  thing  of  the  trustworthiness  of  these  excellent  men. 
They  have  come  among  us,  not  as  unknown  adventurers 
without  'letters  of  commendation,'  but  as  long-tried  and 
honored  laborers  in  the  fields  of  evangelism  in  their  own 
country,  and  more  recently  in  Newcastle  and  other  towns 
in  the  North  of  England,  where  there  appears  to  have 
been  a  pentecostal  blessing,  in  which  every  denomination 
of  Christians  has  shared.  And  the  ministers  and  elders 
and  deacons  of  our  different  churches  that  have  gather- 


EDINBURGH.  67 

ed  around  them  every  evening,  and  shared  with  them 
in  their  blessed  work,  prove  the  confidence  in  which  they 
are  held  by  those  upon  whom  the  Christian  people  of 
Edinburgh  are  accustomed  to  rely. 

"The  service  of  song  conducted  by  Mr.  Sankey,  in 
which  music  is  used  as  the  handmaid  of  a  Gospel  minis- 
try, has  already  been  described  in  your  columns.  I  have 
never  found  it  objected  to  except  by  those  who  have  not 
witnessed  it.  Those  who  have  come  and  heard  have  de- 
parted with  their  prejudices  vanquished,  and  their  hearts 
impressed.  We  might  quote,  in  commendation  of  this 
somewhat  novel  manner  of  preaching  the  Gospel,  the 
words  of  good  George  Herbert : 

'A  verse  may  win  him  who  the  Gospel  flies, 
And  turn  delight  into  a  sacrifice.' 

"There  is  nothing  of  novelty  in  the  doctrine  which 
Mr.  Moody  proclaims.  It  is  the  old  Gospel — old,  yet  al- 
ways fresh  and  young  too,  as  the  living  fountain  or  the 
morning  sun  —  in  which  the  substitution  of  Christ  is 
placed  in  the  centre,  and  presented  with  admirable  dis- 
tinctness and  decision.  It  is  spoken  with  impressive  di- 
rectness, not  as  by  a  man  half  convinced,  and  who  seems 
always  to  feel  that  a  skeptic  is  looking  over  his  shoulder, 
but  with  a  deep  conviction  of  the  truth  of  what  he  says, 
as  if,  like  our  own  Andrew  Fuller,  he  could  '  venture  his 
eternity  on  it,'  and  with  a  tremendous  earnestness,  as  if 
he  felt  that  '  if  he  did  not  speak  the  very  stones  would 
cry  out.'  The  illustrations  and  anecdotes,  drawn  princi- 
pally from  his  strangely  varied  life,  are  so  wisely  chosen, 
so  graphically  told,  and  so  well  applied  as  never  to  fail 
in  hitting  the  mark. 


68  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

"I  wish  once  more  to  call  attention  to  one  essential 
feature  in  the  action  of  these  good  men — the  daily  noon- 
day meeting  for  prayer.  It  began  some  weeks  ago  in  an 
upper  room  in  Queen  Street  Hall.  That  was  filled  after 
a  few  days.  Next  it  was  transferred  to  the  large  hall, 
which  is  capable  of  holding  twelve  hundred  persons.  It 
was  not  long  ere  this  became  overcrowded,  and  now 
there  are  full  meetings  every  day  in  the  Free  Assem- 
bly Hall,  which  is  capable  of  holding  some  hundreds 
more.  It  is  a  fact  with  a  meaning  in  it,  that  simulta- 
neously with  the  increase  in  the  noonday  meeting  for 
prayer,  has  been  the  increase  in  attendance  in  Broughton 
Place  Church  at  the  evening  addresses,  and  also  in  the 
number  of  inquirers  afterward.  Before  the  end  of  last 
week  every  inch  of  standing-ground  in  our  large  place 
of  worship  was  occupied  with  eager  listeners,  and  hun- 
dreds were  obliged  to  depart  without  being  able  to  ob- 
tain so  much  as  a  sight  of  the  speaker.  The  number  of 
inquirers  gradually  rose  from  fifty  to  a  hundred  per 
night,  and  on  Monday  evening  of  this  week,  when  the 
awakened  and  those  who  professed  to  have  undergone 
the  'great  change,'  were  gathered  together  in  our  church 
hall,  to  be  addressed  by  Mr.  Moody,  no  other  persons  be-* 
ing  admitted,  there  were  nearly  three  hundred  present, 
and  even  these  were  only  a  part  of  the  fruits  of  one  week. 
I  wish  to  give  prominence  to  the  statement  that  the  per- 
sons who  conversed  with  the  perplexed  and  inquiring 
were  ministers,  elders,  and  deacons,  and  qualified  private 
members  of  our  various  churches;  and  also  Christian 
matrons  and  Bible  women,  as  far  as  their  valuable  serv- 
ices could  be  secured. 

"And  now,  at  the  close  of  the  week  of  special  services 


EDINBURGH.  69 

in  Broughton  Place  Church,  I  wish  to  repeat  the  state- 
ment in  your  paper  which  I  made  on  Monday  in  the  As- 
sembly Hall,  that  there  is  no  week  in  my  lengthened 
ministry  upon  which  I  look  back  with  such  grateful  joy. 
I  would  not  for  the  wealth  of  a  world  have  the  recollec- 
tion of  what  I  have  seen  and  heard  during  the  past  week 
blotted  out  from  my  memory.  When  Howe  was  chap- 
lain to  Cromwell  at  Whitehall,  he  became  weary  of  the 
turmoil  and  pomp  of  the  palace,  and  wrote  to  his  '  dear 
and  honored  brother,'  Kichard  Baxter,  telling  him  how 
much  he  longed  to  be  back  again  to  his  beloved  work  at 
Torrington.  '  I  have  devoted  myself,'  he  said,  '  to  serve 
God  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  how  can  I  want 
the  pleasure  of  hearing  their  cryings  and  complaints  who 
have  come  to  me  under  convictions.'  I  have  shared 
with  many  beloved  brethren  during  the  past  week  in 
this  sacred  pleasure,  and  it  is  like  eating  of  angels'  bread, 
first  to  hear  the  cry  of  conviction,  and  yet  more  to  hear 
at  length  the  utterance  of  the  joy  of  reconciliation  and 
peace ! 

"I  was  much  struck  by  the  variety  among  the  in- 
quirers. There  were  present  from  the  old  man  of  seven- 
ty-five to  the  youth  of  eleven,  soldiers  from  the  Castle, 
students  from  the  University,  the  backsliding,  the  intem- 
perate, the  skeptical,  the  rich  and  the  poor,  the  educated 
and  the  uneducated;  and  in  how  many  instances  were 
the  wounded  healed,  and  the  burdened  released ! 

"It  may  be  encouraging  to  Christian  parents  and 
teachers  to  be  told  that  very  much  of  this  marvelous 
blessing,  when  once  begun  in  a  house,  has  spread  through 
the  whole  family,  and  those  who  already  had  the  knowl- 
edge of  divine  truth  in  their  minds  by  early  Christian 


70  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

education,  formed  by  far  the  largest  proportion  of  the 
converts.  The  seed  was  there,  sleeping  in  the  soil,  which 
the  influence  from  above  quickened  into  life. 

"  There  was  a  considerable  number  of  skeptics  among 
the  inquirers,  but  their  speculative  doubts  and  difficul- 
ties very  soon  became  of  no  account  when  they  came  to 
have  a  proper  view  of  their  sins.  Some  have  already 
come  to  tell  me  of  their  renunciation  of  unbelief,  and 
their  discipleship  to  Christ.  One  has  publicly  announced 
that  he  can  no  longer  live  in  the  ice-house  of  cold  nega- 
tions, and  has  asked  Mr.  Moody  to  publish  the  address 
which  brought  light  to  his  heart,  and  to  circulate  it  far 
and  wide  over  the  land. 

"I  witnessed  no  excesses  in  the  inquiry -rooms,  but 
there  was  often  deep  and  melting  solemnity,  sometimes 
the  sob  of  sorrow,  and  the  whispered  prayer  of  contrition 
or  gratitude.  There  must,  however,  occur  at  times  im- 
prudent things  and  excesses,  in  connection  with  even  the 
best  works  that  have  imperfect  though  good  men  em- 
ployed about  them.  But  cold  criticism  that  is  in  search 
of  faults,  or  ultra-prudence  that  attempts  nothing  from 
fear  of  making  mistakes,  is  not  the  temper  in  which  to 
regard  such  events.  I  would  not  dare  to  take  either  of 
these  positions,  'lest  haply  I  should  be  found  to  be 
fighting  against  God.' 

"  I  have  already  expressed  my  high  appreciation  of 
Mr.  Moody's  manner  of  addressing.  If  some  think  that 
it  wants  the  polished  elegance  of  certain  of  our  home 
orators,  it  has  qualities  that  are  far  more  valuable;  and 
even  were  it  otherwise,  the  great  thing  is  to  have  the 
gospel  of  the  grace  of  God  clearly  and  earnestly  preached 
to  the  multitudes  who  are  crowding  every  night  to  listen 


EDINBUItGH.  71 

to  him.  When  the  year  of  jubilee  came  in  ancient  times 
among  the  Jews,  I  suspect  the  weary  bond-slave  or  the 
poor  debtor  cared  little  whether  it  was  proclaimed  to  him 
with  silver  trumpets  or  with  rams'  horns,  if  he  could 
only  be  assured  that  he  was  free." 

MEETING   FOR   INQUIRERS. 

"Monday,  December  8th.  —  This  evening  there  was  a 
prayer-meeting  in  Dr.  Thompson's  church,  and  the  inquir- 
ers met  Mr.  Moody  in  the  room  below,  along  with  those 
wrho  had  been  recently  converted.  About  seventy  stood 
up  and  told  of  the  blessing  they  had  received  through 
Mr.  Moody's  preaching,  and  the  Word  of  God,  as  it  had 
been  brought  before  their  minds.  This  indicates  a  con- 
siderable awakening ;  for  I  judge  that  for  every  one  who 
comes  to  the  inquiry-meeting  to  be  conversed  with,  there 
must  be  nine  who  go  home  with  the  arrow  of  conviction 
in  their  souls.  Few  could  summon  up  courage  to  go 
there  and  face  strangers.  The  most  part  go  home  to 
wreep  and  pray,  and  read  and  ponder  alone. 

"  There  has  been  some  very  blessed  work  this  even- 
ing. There  was  a  goodly  number  of  inquirers,  and  men 
and  women  well  qualified  to  speak  with  them.  We 
were  occupied  with  four  }7oung  men  for  the  greater  part 
of  the  evening,  and  they  all  professed  faith  in  Christ,  but 
we  fear  they  only  saw  men  as  trees  walking;  but  if  there 
is  life  the  liberty  will  come  by-and-by.  On  going  to  ask 
Mr.  Moody  to  come  to  speak  with  them,  I  found  him  at 
the  door  trying  to  find  out  the  condition  of  all  that  went 
out.  Just  as  I  went  up  to  him,  he  was  saying  to  three 
ladies,  '  Oh,  surely  you  will  not  think  of  leaving  without 
Christ.     This  gentleman  will  converse  with  you.' 


72  THE  WORE  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

"And  so  saying,  he  got  them  down  on  a  seat,  and  me 
beside  them,  and  left.  I  could  judge  from  their  Bibles, 
that  were  well  marked,  that  they  were  not  careless  per- 
sons, but  probably  Christians  who  would  not  like  to 
commit  themselves  by  saying  they  were  'saved,'  but 
who  had  a  secret  trust  in  Christ;  and  I  think  I  was 
right,  for  no  sooner  did  I  bring  before  them  in  an  ear- 
nest  and  personal  way  one  or  two  texts,  than  they  seemed 
deeply  interested ;  and  as  they  were  troubled  that  they 
had  not  sufficient  conviction  of  sin,  they  appeared  to  be 
greatly  helped  by  being  told  that  I  had  no  deep  convic- 
tion of  sin — in  fact,  no  appreciable  conviction  of  sin  at 
all;  but  that  I  felt  a  want,  and  was  drawn  to  Christ 
by  his  personal  loveliness,  and  that  the  sin  crisis  came  a 
year  afterward.  After  this  I  took  them  to  the  precious 
Word,  in  Eomans  iii.,  24-26,  and  they  all  professed  faith 
in  Jesus;  and  I  gave  them  back  into  Mr.  Moody's  hands, 
and  they  all  left  confessing  Christ.  At  this  very  mo- 
ment a  lady  came  to  me  and  said,  'Dear  sir,  will  you 
come  and  see  a  girl  over  in  yon  corner  that  nobody  can 
make  any  thing  of?  She  says  she  came  to  hear  Mr. 
Moody  preach ;  she  has  never  been  able  to  get  here  be- 
fore, and  he  has  not  preached,  and  she  is  disappointed 
and  angry,  and  says  she  did  not  come  here  to  be  spoken 
to.'  I  went  at  once,  asked  her  to  come  to  a  quiet  place 
where  I  could  see  her  alone;  but  she  sat  like  a  marble 
statue,  and  refused  to  come.  I  went  to  her  and  tried  to 
win  her  confidence,  but  could  not  get  her  to  enter  into 
conversation.  At  first  I  tried  her  with  Acts  xiii.,  38,  39, 
which  had  been  so  blessed  to  others,  but  I  felt  it  was  use- 
less, and  the  sentiment  in  the  word  of  Jesus  being  pres- 
ent in  my  mind,  j  This  kind  goeth  not  out  but  by  prayer 


EDINBURGH.  73 

and  fasting,'  I  looked  for  direction,  and  turned  to  1  Peter 
ii.,  24.  She  felt  for  her  handkerchief.  I  looked  in  her 
face  and  saw  a  tear  trickling  down  her  cheek,  and  at 
length  I  heard  her  speak.  'What  are  you  saying?'  I 
inquired.  'That  was  my  father's  text;'  and  she  wiped 
away  her  tears,  and  told  me  how  her  father  had  died  pre- 
pared for  heaven  eight  months  ago,  and  this  was  the  text 
he  had  rested  on.  'And  you  believe  your  father  is  in 
heaven  ?'  '  Yes.'  'And  you,  too,  can  be  prepared,  now, 
just  where  you  sit,  to  be  with  your  father  in  heaven, 
and  with  the  Lord  Jesus,  just  by  believing  your  father's 
text.'  I  felt  deeply  interested  in  her  case,  and  by  enter- 
ing sympathetically  into  her  great  sorrow,  gained  her  at- 
tention to  the  Gospel,  and  she  left  professing  faith  in  her 
father's  text  and  her  father's  God.  He  knows  her  heart. 
May  he  finish  the  work  he  has  begun ! 

"  Next  day,  as  I  was  talking  to  a  Free  Church  minis- 
ter, and  telling  him  of  this  interesting  case,  and  the  di- 
rection I  got  to  the  right  word,  he  told  me  it  was  all 
true,  for  he  was  the  minister  who  visited  the  dying  fa- 
ther, and  that  he  had  given  him  the  text, 'Who  his  own 
self  bare  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree;'  and  he 
continued, '  I  had  a  hope  of  him '  (he  took  his  word  back, 
and  said),  '  I  should  not  say  hope,  but  more  than  hope ; 
the  man  died  a  believer  in  Christ.'  He  said  he  would 
call  for  her  and  look  after  her.  Do  not  those  leadings 
look  remarkably  like  as  if  she  were  a  sheep  of  Christ's 
fold,  and  that  the  Good  Shepherd  is  raising  up  one  means 
after  another,  to  get  her  laid  upon  his  shoulder?  One 
under-shepherd  is  sent  to  call  her  by  the  Gospel,  another 
to  shepherd  her  in  the  right  ways  of  the  Lord. 

"After  this,  when  standing  near  the  door,  the  lady 
•       4 


74  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

who  had  got  relief  regarding  sinning  away  the  Holy 
Ghost,  came  up  to  me  and  said,  '  I  wanted  to  see  you,  to 
tell  you  how  astonished  I  was,  on  going  home  and  seeing 
your  name  on  the  book  given  me,  to  rind  that  you  were 
the  author  of  "  The  Blood  of  Jesus,"  a  book  given  me  in 
Australia,  on  my  marriage,  by  my  husband's  aunt;  and 
it  was  the  first  religious  book  I  ever  read  with  any  inter- 
est. It  struck  me  much  that,  after  traveling  round  the 
world,  I  should  come  into  contact  with  the  author  of  that 
book,  to  be  set  at  liberty,  that  I  might  rejoice  in  God's 
salvation.  The  circle  is  now  completed,  and  I  am  saved.' 
Her  husband  is  in  America,  and  she  is  here  under  an 
eminent  physician.  Her  soul  is  free.  May  the  Lord 
bless  and  keep  her  through  faith  unto  salvation  !" 

NECESSITY  AND  POWER  OF  PRAYER. 

As  a  prominent  agency  in  this  great  revival,  we 
should  not  overlook  the  earnest  prayers  of  God's  chil- 
dren before  the  arrival  of  the  evangelists,  and  during 
their  labors.  It  is  evident  that  the  depth,  extent,  and 
permanency  of  the  work  are  measured  by  the  amount 
of  prayer  that  precedes  and  accompanies  it. 

The  following  appeal  for  united  and  fervent  supplica- 
tion to  God  was  sent  to  every  minister  of  every  denom- 
ination in  Scotland.  Would  that  every  minister  in 
America  would  read  it,  and  plead  for  a  merciful  visit 
from  on  high,  to  our  own  beloved  land  !  Would  that 
all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  might  send  to  the 
throne  of  grace  their  united  supplications  for  manifesta- 
tions of  the  Spirit  that  shall  move  our  entire  population  ! 

Edinburgh  is  now  enjoying  signal  manifestations  of  grace.  Many  of  the 
Lord's  people  are  not  surprised  at  this.     In  October  and  November  last, 


EDINBURGH.  75 

they  met  from  time  to  time  to  pray  for  it.  They  hoped  that  they  might 
have  a  visit  from  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey,  of  America,  but  they  very 
earnestly  besought  the  Lord  that  he  would  deliver  them  from  depending 
upon  them,  or  on  any  instrumentality,  and  that  he  himself  would  come  with 
them,  or  come  before  them.  He  has  graciously  answered  that  prayer,  and 
his  own  presence  is  now  wonderfully  manifested,  and  is  felt  to  be  among 
them.  God  is  so  affecting  the  hearts  of  men  that  the  Free  Church  Assem- 
bly Hall,  the  largest  public  building  in  Edinburgh,  is  crowded  every  day  at 
noon  with  a  meeting  for  prayer ;  and  that  building,  along  with  the  Estab- 
lished Church  Assembly  Hall,  overflows  every  evening  when  the  Gospel  is 
preached.  But  the  numbers  that  attend  are  not  the  most  remarkable  fea- 
ture. It  is  the  presence  and  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  solemn 
awe,  the  prayerful,  believing,  expectant  spirit,  the  anxious  inquiry  of  un- 
saved souls,  and  the  longing  of  believers  to  grow  more  like  Christ — their 
hungering  and  thirsting  after  holiness.  The  hall  of  the  Tolbooth  Church, 
and  the  Free  High  Church,  are  nightly  attended  by  anxious  inquirers. 
All  denominational  and  social  distinctions  are  entirely  merged.  Ail  this 
is  of  the  God  of  Grace. 

Another  proof  of  the  Holy  Spirit's  presence  is,  that  a  desire  has  been 
felt  and  expressed  in  these  meetings  that  all  Scotland  should  share  the 
blessing  that  the  capital  is  now  enjoying. 

It  is  impossible  that  our  beloved  friends  from  America  should  visit  every 
place,  or  even  all  those  to  which  they  have  been  urged  to  go.  But  this  is 
not  necessary.  The  Lord  is  willing  himself  to  go  wherever  he  is  trulv  in- 
vited. He  is  waiting.  The  Lord's  people  in  Edinburgh,  therefore,  would 
affectionately  entreat  all  their  brethren  throughout  the  land  to  be  importu- 
nate in  invoking  him  to  come  to  them,  and  to  dismiss  all  doubt  as  to  his 
being  willing  to  do  so. 

The  week  of  prayer,  from  the  4th  to  the  11th  of  January  next,  affords  a 
favorable  opportunity  for  combined  action.  In  every  town  and  hamlet  let 
there  be  a  daily  meeting  for  prayer  during  that  week,  and  also  as  often  as 
may  be  before  it.  In  Edinburgh  the  hour  is  from  twelve  to  one  o'clock,  and 
where  the  same  hour  suits  other  places,  it  would  be  pleasing  to  meet  togeth- 
er in  faith  at  the  throne  of  grace.  But  let  the  prayers  not  be  formal,  un- 
believing, unexpecting,  but  short,  fervent,  earnest  entreaties,  mingled  with 
abounding  praise  and  frequent  short  exhortations ;  and  let  them  embrace 
the  whole  world,  that  God's  way  may  be  known  upon  earth,  his  saving 
health  among  all  nations.  If  the  country  will  thus  fall  on  their  knees,  the 
God  who  has  filled  our  national  history  with  the  wonders  of  his  love  will 
come  again,  and  surprise  even  the  strongest  believers  by  the  unprecedented 


76  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

tokens  of  his  grace.     "  Call  unto  me  and  I  will  answer  thee,  and  show 
thee  great  and  mighty  things  which  thou  knowest  not." 

W.  G.  Blaikie,  D.D.,  Professor,  New  College. 

Charles  J.  Brown,  D.D.,  Free  North  Church. 

James  Balfour,  13  Eton  Terrace. 

H.  Calderwood,  Professor  of  Moral  Philosophy. 

Lawrence  G.  Carter,  Charlotte  Street  Baptist  Chapel. 

A.  W.  Charteris,  D.D.,  Professor  of  Biblical  Criticism. 

John  Cooper,  late  of  Fala,  U.P. 

G.  D.  Cullen,  Royal  Terrace. 

Cavan,  12  Lennox  Street. 

Alexander  Duff,  D.D. 

William  Dickson,  38  York  Place. 

David  Dickson,  Merchiston. 

F.  Brown  Douglas,  21  Moray  Place. 

William  Grant,  Bristo  Place  Baptist  Chapel. 

William  Hanna,  D.D.,  16  Magdala  Crescent. 

John  Kelman,  Free  St.  John's,  Leith. 

Robert  Macdonald,  D.D.,  Free  North,  Leith. 

James  Macgregor,  D.D.,  Professor,  New  College. 

John  Macmurtree,  St.  Bernard's  Church. 

John  Millar,  26  York  Place. 

W.  Scott  Moncrieff,  St.  Thomas's  Episcopal  Church. 

John  Morgan,  Viewforth  Free  Church. 

David  M'Laren,  Redfern  House. 

Duncan  M'Laren,  Jun.,  Newington  House. 

Samuel  Newnam,  Baptist  Church,  Dublin  Street. 

Maxwell  Nicholson,  D.D.,  St.  Stephen's  Church. 

Polwarth,  Mertoun  House. 

Robert  Rainy,  D.D.,  Professor,  New  College. 

James  Robertson,  U.P.,  Newington. 

Moody  Stuart,  Free  St,  Luke's. 

E.  Erskine  Scott,  25  Melville  Street. 

Andrew  Thompson,  D.D.,  Broughton  Place  Church. 

John  Wemyss,  Richmond  Place  Congregational  Church. 

Alexander  Whyte,  St.  George's  Free  Church. 

Ninian  Wight,  Congregational  Church. 

George  Wilson,  Tolbooth  Parish  Church. 

J.  H.  Wilson,  Barclay  Free  Church. 

John  Young,  U.P.,  Newington. 


EDINBURGH.  77 

The  vital  connection  between  prayer  and  faith  is 
illustrated  in  Mr.  Moody's  address,  in  Free  Assembly 
Hall,  December  11th.  He  spoke  from  Mark  ix.,  14-30 — 
verse  19:  "Bring  him  unto  me."  "Some  complain  that 
their  prayers  are  not  answered,  but  that  is  no  reason  for 
being  weary  or  waxing  faint.  The  thing  is  to  inquire 
the  reason  why  God  keeps  back  answers  to  them. 

"A  lady  came  to  me  to-day,  and  said  that  she  feared 
her  two  sons  were  not  going  to  be  saved,  but  they  will 
be  if  she  continues  to  pray  for  them.  Never  did  a  sin- 
ner come  to  Christ  yet  that  the  devil  did  not  throw  him 
down,  and  try  to  prevent  him.     Verse  21 :  '  Of  a  child.' 

"This  was  a  hard  case;  he  had  inherited  it.  Verse 
23  :  'If  thou  canst  believe,  all  things  are  possible.'  You 
can  not  believe,  mother  of  these  two  sons;  if  you  did, 
you  would  have  the  conversion  of  your  sons.  Oh,  how 
easy  it  is  for  God  to  take  the  accursed  appetite  out  of 
the  most  abandoned  drunkard,  and  restore  him  to  a  right 
mind;  as  easy  for  him  to  save,  as  for  me  to  turn  my 
hand  round ! 

"  1 1  charge  thee,  come  out  of  him.'  A  little  time  of 
praying  and  fasting,  of  being  alone  with  God,  of  inquiry 
of  him  in  what  way  we  hinder  his  blessing  us — that  is 
the  thing  which  we  want. 

"During  the  American  war,  when  husbands,  fathers, 
and  brothers  were  away  on  the  battle-fields,  their  wives, 
daughters,  and  mothers  learned  to  pray,  and  many  an 
hour  was  spent  by  them  in  their  closets  alone  with  God. 
The  results  were  marvelous,  and  that,  too,  in  the  case  of 
the  wickedest  and  most  depraved  men  in  the  army. 

"One  day,  at  Nashville,  a  great,  strong,  wicked-look- 
ing soldier  came  to  me  tremblinsr.     He  said  he  had  got 


78  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

a  letter  from  his  sister,  six  hundred  miles  away,  and 
she  said  that  she  prayed  to  God,  night  after  night,  that 
he  should  be  saved,  and  he  said  he  could  not  stand  to 
hear  that,  and  he  had  come  to  give  himself  to  Christ; 
and  there  and  then  we  knelt  down  together  in  prayer  to 
God,  he  crushed  and  broken  in  heart. 

"  Oh,  what  a  privilege  we  have  in  coming  to  God  in 
prayer  about  our  friends !  Our  prayers  may  not  be  an- 
swered to-day:  we  may  be  in  our  graves  before  they 
are ;  but  assuredly  they  will  be  answered  some  time. 

"Another  soldier  came  to  me  and  said  he  had  got  a 
letter  from  his  mother,  saying  that  she  prayed  morning, 
noon,  and  night  for  his  conversion  ;  that  this  letter  might 
be  the  last  he  would  ever  get  from  her,  as  he  might  be 
killed  in  battle.  'I  said  when  I  got  it,  that  I  would 
wait  till  the  war  was  over,  and  I  would  go  home  and 
settle  down,  and  be  a  Christian ;  but  I  hear  to-day  that 
mother  is  dead,  that  that  letter  was  the  last  she  ever 
wrote,  so  I  have  come  to  give  myself  to  my  mother's 
God:'  which  he  did.  Both  these  men  found  peace  in 
Jesus,  and  became  bright  and  shining  lights  in  the 
army." 

From  Saturday,  December  13th,  to  January  4th,  vari- 
ous meetings  were  held  of  thrilling  interest.  One  was 
a  men's  meeting  at  the  Corn  Exchange,  Grassmarket,  at 
half-past  eight  o'clock,  December  29th,  which  was  attend- 
ed by  about  three  thousand  persons,  belonging  to  the 
poorer  classes.  The  Kev.  Mr.  Morgan  opened  this  meet- 
ing with  prayer. 

Mr.  Moody  began  his  address  by  telling  the  well- 
known  story  about  Rowland  Hill  and  Lady  Erskine. 
Her  ladyship  was  driving  past  a  crowd  of  people  to 


EDINBURGH.  79 

whom  Hill  was  preaching.  She  asked  who  the  preacher 
was,  and  on  being  informed  told  her  coachman  to  drive 
nearer.  Rowland  Hill,  seeing  her  approach,  asked  who 
she  was,  and  when  he  was  told  he  said  there  was  a  soul 
there  for  sale.  Who  would  bid,  he  asked,  for  Lady  Er- 
skine's  soul  ?  There  was  Satan's  offer.  He  would  give 
pleasure,  honor,  position,  and,  in  fact,  the  whole  world. 
There  was  also,  he  said,  the  offer  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  who 
would  give  pardon,  'peace,  jo}',  rest,  and  at  last  heaven 
and  glory.  He  then  asked  Lady  Erskine  which  of  these 
bids  she  would  accept.  Ordering  her  coachman  to  open 
her  carriage-door,  she  pressed  her  way  through  the  crowd 
to  where  the  preacher  was,  and  said,  "Lord  Jesus,  I  give 
my  soul  to  Thee ;  accept  of  it." 

Mr.  Moody  went  on  to  urge  on  his  hearers  to  give 
themselves  there  and  then  to  the  same  Saviour  who  was 
that  day  preached  in  the  hearing  of  Lady  Erskine,  and 
accepted  by  her.  He  brought  out  the  freeness  of  the 
Gospel  offer,  and  the  importance  of  immediately  closing 
with  it.  He  mentioned  several  instances  of  conversion 
— one  of  them  concerning  a  soldier,  who  had  been  at  the 
meeting  of  the  previous  night  in  that  same  hall,  and  who 
had  afterward  gone  up  to  the  Assembly  Hall,  had  re- 
ceived Christ  there,  and  was  now  professing  himself  a 
Christian  man. 

Mr.  Sankey  sung  several  of  his  hymns — "The  Life- 
boat," "Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by,"  and  "The  Prod- 
igal Child  "  being  among  them. 

The  meeting  on  Sunday  night  (December  28th)  seems 
to  have  been  the  most  extraordinary  of  all  these  meet- 
ings. Though  there  were  about  five  thousand  persons 
present,  the   most  perfect  order  was  observed,  and  the 


80  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

deepest  interest  manifested  in  the  proceedings.  After 
this  meeting  was  over,  hundreds  pressed  up  to  the  Free 
Assembly  Hall,  and  when  the  question  was  put  if  there 
were  any  there  anxious  about  their  souls  and  desiring  to 
be  saved,  the  whole  body  rose  to  their  feet  in  answer  to 
the  question.  The  interest  shown  was  such  as  many  of 
those  present  had  never  before  seen,  in  the  course  of  a 
long  ministry  among  the  people.  Mr.  Moody  expressed 
himself  as  more  impressed  by  it  than  he  had  been  by 
any  thing  he  had  ever  before  seen. 

ASSURANCE. 

Mr.  Moody  gave  an  address  on  assurance  to  a  crowded 
audience,  citing  many  passages  to  prove  that  the  believer 
now  has  eternal  life;  and  that  it  is  as  impossible  for  a  true 
son  of  God  to  cease  to  occupy  that  relation  to  his  Maker, 
as  it  is  for  a  child  to  cease  to  be  the  son  of  his  earthly 
father.  Once  a  son  always  a  son,  was  as  true  in  the  one 
case  as  in  the  other.  God  did  not,  he  remarked,  leave 
them  without  a  test  whether  or  not  they  were  his  chil- 
dren. If  they  had  God's  love  in  their  hearts  they  would 
be  full  of  love  for  all  men — enemies  as  well  as  friends ; 
and  if  they  had  not  this,  they  would  have  good  reason 
to  doubt  if  they  were  saved.  He  went  on  to  explain 
the  meaning  of  the  passage  that  God  chastens  whom  he 
loves  when  they  commit  sin,  expressing  his  belief  that 
believers  were  punished  in  this  world  for  their  transgres- 
sions, while  the  punishment  of  unbelievers  was  reserved 
for  a  future  state.  He  enlarged  upon  the  repeated  assur- 
ance in  the  Scriptures  that  God  is  keeping  for  his  chil- 
dren an  incorruptible  inheritance,  and  preserving  them 
for  it  by  his  power.     He  spoke  of  the  impossibility,  in 


EDINBURGH.  81 

these  circumstances,  of  Satan  plucking  them  out  of  his 
hand,  and  exhorted  young  converts  not  to  be  discouraged 
because  they  now  and  then  found  themselves  tripping  in 
the  endeavor  to  pursue  the  Christian's  path  in  life.  Such 
lapses  he  attributed  to  the  Adam-nature  that  was  pos- 
sessed by  all  in  this  life,  and  was  always  warring  against 
the  new  nature  that  God  had  given  his  people  at  their 
conversion.  These  and  other  truths  he  enforced  by  con- 
stant reference  to  the  Bible,  allowing  it  rather  than  him- 
self to  convey  them  to  the  congregation.  Dr.  Thom- 
son prayed,  and  gave  out  the  psalms  and  hymns  during 
the  service. 

WATCH-NIGHT  MEETING  TO  BRING  IN  THE  NEW  YEAR. 

December  Slst,  1873.— An  hour  before  8  P.M.  the  hall 
was  being  packed,  and  when  the  Tolbooth  Church-bells 
began  to  toll  for  that  meeting,  there  was  not  a  vacant  spot. 
Four  hours  were  allowed  for  any  one  to  sing,  pray,  or  say 
any  -thing.  He  was  to  do  just  as  the  Holy  Spirit  moved 
him.  The  Jubilee  Singers  or  Mr.  Sankey  might  interrupt 
Mr.  Moody  by  singing  if  they  chose,  or  any  one  could 
speak  to  the  point  which  he  touched  upon.  There  were 
many  "  I  wills  "  in  the  Bible  which  ought  to  be  looked 
out  and  marked;  but  he  meant  to  speak  a  little  to-night 
on  seven  "I  wills"  of  Christ:  Matt,  iv.,  19;  x,  32;  xi., 
28;  Luke  v.,  12,  13;  John  vi.,  37;  xiv.,  16;  xvii.,  24. 

Mr.  Sankey  sung  the  "Water  of  Life."  Mr.  Moody 
read  Luke  v.,  12,  13:  "I  will;  be  thou  clean." 

"Some  men  say  they  are  too  vile  to  be  received  by 
Christ,  but  he  says  'I  will.'  John  Bunyan  was  such  a 
vile  sinner  that  I  do  not  suppose  the  society  of  Bedford 
would  receive  him,  but  Christ  did.     'Lord,  if  thou  wilt, 

4* 


82  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

thou  canst  make  me  clean.  I  will :  be  thou  clean,  and 
immediately  his  leprosy  departed  from  him.'  If  there  is 
a  man  here  with  any  sin  to-night  he  may  come  to  Christ 
and  be  cleansed,  and  enter  1874  with  a  '  new  creation.' 
There  was  an  abandoned  drunkard  in  America,  so  lost 
that  all  his  friends  forsook  him.  He  came  to  Christ,  and 
is  now  perhaps  the  finest  orator  that  ever  lived.  Jesus 
Christ  loves  you,  pities  }rou,  and  will  cleanse  you  if  you 
come  to  him.  Kings  call  round  them  great  men,  but 
Jesus  calls  the  vilest  round  him."  [The  Jubilee  Singers 
here  burst  into  "  Come,  come  to  Jesus."]  " '  Whosoever 
shall  confess  me  before  men,  him  will  I  confess  also  be- 
fore my  father  which  is  in  heaven.'  After  'come  and  be 
made  clean  by  Christ'  comes  the  'I  will'  of  confession. 
We  require  boldness  to  confess  Christ.  Men  in  this 
country  think  it  the  highest  honor  to  be  received  at 
Court  or  mentioned  in  Parliament,  and  our  generals  dur- 
ing the  war  strove  to  be  spoken  of  in  Congress.  Christ 
will  mention  us,  if  we  are  confessors,  before  his  father  in 
heaven.  It  is  a  great  mistake  not  to  encourage  confes- 
sion in  young  converts.  The  first  thing  should  be  for 
them  to  go  home  and  tell  the  great  things  the  Lord  has 
done  for  them,  and  the  next  is  to  tell  it  out  to  the  Church. 
Jesus  asked  them,  Whom  do  men  say  that  I  am?  Some 
say  John  the  Baptist,  Elias,  Jeremias.  But  Peter,  'Whom 
do  you  say  that  I  am  ?'  As  if  Christ  just  longed  for  some 
one  to  confess  him ;  and  if  we  do  so,  he  will  confess  us 
before  his  father  and  the  angels  of  heaven.  W'hen  I 
visited  Boston,  I  saw  many  gray  heads  there,  but  a  lit- 
tle tow-headed  Norwegian  boy  got  up  at  a  meeting  and 
said,  '  If  I  tell  the  world  about  Jesus,  he  will  tell  his  Fa- 
ther about  me.' 


EDINBURGH.  83 

"At  Newcastle,  a  lady,  when  I  asked  her  to  do  so,  said 
she  could  not  do  it,  but  she  managed  to  do  it  when  she 
tried.  What  is  the  result?  She  has  since  then  brought 
a  hundred  people  to  Christ.  It  is  a  very  nervous  thing 
to  do  at  first.  I  trembled  in  every  limb  when  I  first 
stood  up  for  Jesus;  and  when  I  sat  down,  I  said  to  my- 
self, '  Moody,  you  have  made  a  fool  of  yourself ;'  and  that 
I  have  been  doing  for  Christ's  sake  ever  since." 

Mr.  James  Balfour  said :  "  There  was  not  any  thing 
more  difficult  than  the  confession  of  Christ  at  home,  in 
the  counting-house,  in  the  shop." 

Colonel  Davidson  said  :  "There  is  nothing  more  diffi- 
cult than  to  confess  Christ  in  a  barrack-room.  A  brave 
soldier,  who  had  won  the  Victoria  Cross,  told  me  that 
be  was  ashamed  to  pray  before  all  the  men,  and  used  to 
do  so  in  bed ;  but  one  night  he  felt  that  was  cowardly, 
so  he  sprang  up  and  knelt  down,  expecting  a  shower  of 
boots  at  his  head;  but  no!  he  was  not  disturbed,  and 
the  men  showed  him  more  respect  ever  afterward." 

The  54th  Paraphrase,  "I'm  not  ashamed  to  own  my 
Lord,"  was  sung. 

Eev.  Mr.  Grant  said:  "In  the  memoir  of  J.  Angel 
James  there  is  an  account  of  two  young  men  who  occu- 
pied the  same  room,  and  read  the  Bible  together.  An- 
other was  coming,  and  they  were  not  sure  how  they 
would  act.  The  stranger  came,  and  he  hesitated  about 
taking  out  his  Bible  before  them,  and  they  were  sitting 
silent;  but  he  at  last  summoned  courage  and  took  his 
Bible  from  his  box,  and  at  once  the  two  others  joyfully 
joined  him.  Angel  James  and  they  continued  to  read 
and  pray  together." 

Mr.  Moody  :  "  In  Cleveland,  Ohio,  fifteen  hundred  peo- 


84  THE   WOUK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

pie  were  brought  in  just  through  some  young  men 
preaching.  Many  are  lost  to  the  Church — not  to  Christ, 
but  to  the  Church  —  by  the  want  of  confession.  My 
friend  Mr.  Balfour,  says,  '  Confess  Christ  at  home.'  Yes, 
at  first ;  but  when  converted  it  is  very  important  to 
make  a  stand,  and  confess  Christ  everywhere.  If  the 
Church  has  been  the  instrument  of  conversions,  the  new 
converts  should  tell  it  to  the  Church.  Of  course  in  do- 
ing so  they  will  make  mistakes  at  first,  but  that  keeps 
them  humble.  '  Howbeit  Jesus  suffered  him  not ;  but 
saith  unto  him,  Go  home  to  thy  friends,  and  tell  them 
how  great  things  the  Lord  hath  done  for  thee,  and  hath 
had  compassion  on  thee'  (Mark  v.,  19).  He  was  to  go 
home  first,  but  after  that  he  went  to  Decapolis,  and  the 
whole  region  was  stirred  by  his  preaching,  and  '  all  men 
did  marvel.'  Christ  said,  '  Go  home,'  go  preaching.  No 
bishop  ordained  him,  but  off  he  went  at  once,  and  the  ef- 
fect was  marvelous.  Take  another  case  (John  ix.,  9): 
'Some  said,  This  is  he :  others  said,  He  is  like  him  :  but 
he  said,  I  am  he.'  It  cost  him  something  to  say  '  I  am 
he.'  He  was  right  there.  I  like  that  man,  and  wish  I 
knew  his  name. 

i:iA  man  that  is  called  Jesus'  (verse  11).  He  is  get- 
ting on!  He  shows  how  it  was  done:  so  those  young 
converts  could  tell  last  Monday  how  they  were  convert- 
ed, though  they  could  not  preach  then  ;  but  soon  they 
will  be  preaching  (verse  15).  We  are  too  cautious.  We 
should  have  a  'witness  meeting,'  where  each  would  stand 
up  and  tell  what  the  Lord  has  done  for  him.  It  an't  the 
cleverest  speaker  in  the  witness-box  who  has  the  most 
power  on  the  jury.  It  is  the  man  who  has  most  of  the 
truth.     If  I  become  a  child  of  God,  why  not  tell  it  out 


EDINBURGH.  85 

(verse  17)  ?  He  is  advancing  farther  still,  and  like  young 
converts,  speaks  of  the  Master  himself  (verse  25).  They 
now  tried  to  make  the  man  believe  that  he  was  not  born 
blind,  but  that  would  not  do.  I  know,  for  all  that,  that 
for  all  these  years  I  have  been  groping  about  in  dark- 
ness, seeking  some  one  to  lead  me  by  the  hand  or  I  would 
fall,  and  now  I  see  ;  you  can't  get  me  out  of  that.  I  know 
it  too  well  to  disbelieve  it.  Confession  is  very  important. 
That  is  the  reason  why  it  takes  up  so  much  room  in 
Scripture.  He  had  told  them  twice ;  he  is  preaching 
now  (verses  30-33).  Ha!  he  is  farther  and  farther  on 
still:  no  one  could  preach  better  theology  than  that! 
Quite  as  good  as  if  he  had  been  taught  in  college  or  theo- 
logical seminary.  It  was  noble  testimony.  'And  they 
cast  him  out ' — a  hard  case,  and  if  you  and  I  bear  such 
testimony  before  it,  the  world  will  cast  us  out  too,  and 
well  if  they  did.  Let  them  cut  your  acquaintance — the 
sooner  the  better  (verse  35).  Jesus  soon  found  him  out. 
He  came  seeking  him,  and  soon  found  him  (verse  38). 
Lord,  I  believe,  and  he  worshiped  Him.  Isn't  it  glori- 
ous? Yes;  he  was  cast  out  by  the  world,  right  into  the 
loving  bosom  of  Christ!" 

Eev.  Mr.  Arnot  prayed  tenderly. 

Captain  M'Kenzie  said :  "  There  was  a  regardless  youth, 
who  left  his  village  to  escape  from  meetings,  but  was 
met  by  God  at  the  next,  and  returned  to  tell  that  he  was 
saved.  There  was  a  prayer-meeting  that  night,  when  he 
and  another  young  man  took  part,  and  so  great  was  the 
effect  which  these  two  witnesses  for  Christ,  known  to  ev- 
ery body,  produced,  that  not  only  did  it  last  till  four  in 
the  morning,  but  the  whole  village  came  to  another  at 
twelve  next  day,  and  they  continued  at  it  till  two  o'clock 


86  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

next  day.  '  I  will  pour  upon  them  the  spirit  of  grace 
and  of  supplications.'" 

11  Field  of  Labor  "  was  sung  by  Mr.  Sankey. 

Mr.  Moody  read:  "  'And  he  saith  unto  them,  Follow 
me,  and  I  will  make  you  fishers  of  men'  (Matt,  iv.,  19). 
lIwilV  Jesus  kept  his  word  to  Peter.  He  did  become 
a  fisher  of  men,  and  caught  in  one  day  three  thousand  in 
the  Gospel  net.  This  past  year,  have  you  caught  any 
thing?  Follow  me,  and  I  will  make  you  successful. 
Look  back  ?  do  you  know  of  any  saved  for  God  ?  I  pity 
the  worldly  Christian.  See  Lot  knocking  at  the  doors 
of  his  sons-in-law  and  relatives,  and  begging  them  with 
fatherly  anxiety  to  flee  from  the  doomed  city.  They 
didn't  believe  him ;  he  had  lost  his  power  of  testimony  ; 
he  had  no  influence ;  leanness  had  come  to  him.  I  pity 
the  child  of  God  who  has  no  influence.  If  others  do  not 
follow  Christ,  let  us !  Let  1874  be  a  prosperous  year  to 
every  child  of  God  here.  Let  us  leave  our  '  nets,'  and 
let  our  first  thought  be,  regarding  every  man,  how  we 
can  win  him  to  Christ.  You  do  not  know  how  much 
you  may  be  the  means  of  doing  for  Christ  during  1874, 
if  you  will  only  try.  One  may  convert  a  hundred,  and 
from  a  hundred  ten  thousand  may  be  saved.  These 
may  win  a  hundred  thousand  to  God.  The  little  rivu- 
let that  rises  like  a  thread  in  the  mountain  becomes  at 
length  a  great  river  when  it  falls  into  the  sea!  A  Sab- 
bath-school teacher  attending  one  of  these  meetings  left 
her  class  for  that  purpose.  I  asked  her  how  she  could 
do  that.  She  said,  '  Oh  there  were  only  five  little  boys  in 
it.'  Why  !  one  of  these  little  boys  may  be  a  John  Knox, 
a  Bunyan,  a  Chalmers.  Andrew,  looking  at  these  three 
thousand  men  of  Peter,  might  have  called  them  his  grand- 


EDINBURGH.  87 

children.  A  little  girl  can  follow  Jesus  and  work  for 
him,  and  she  can  influence  those  whom  we  can  not  get 
at.  A  blind  man  was  seen  carrying  a  lantern,  and  he 
was  asked  what  he  did  that  for:  'To  prevent  others 
stumbling  over  me.'  We  are  either  winning  souls  to 
Christ,  or  others  are  stumbling  over  us. 

"Argue  all  night  with  an  infidel,  and  he'll  get  the  bet- 
ter of  you  in  some  way ;  but  ask  him  what  is  to  be  said 
about  converts  he  knows  of,  and  that  puzzles  him :  he 
can  not  understand  the  change  wrought  by  conversion." 

There  was  now  silent  prayer  that  we  might  win  souls 
to  Christ  in  1874.  The  Jubilee  Singers  broke  the  silence 
with  "Steal  away  to  Jesus." 

Mr.  Moody  read  John  xiv.,  18  :  "  '  I  will  come  to  you.' 
The  world  does  not  understand  that.  Before  I  became  a 
Christian,  and  when  I  did  not  know  the  secret,  I  wonder- 
ed at  Christians'  sustained  comfort  and  joy.  Since  com- 
ing to  Jesus,  I  have  never  left  him,  and  he  has  never  left 
me.  When  Joseph  was  sold  into  Egypt,  God  was  sold 
with  him.  They  were  linked  together.  Joseph  was  put 
in  prison,  but  God  went  there  too.  He  will  never  leave 
us,  never!  never!  A  dying  woman  was  asked  if  she  was 
afraid.     c  How  can  I  be  afraid  when  God  is  with  me?' 

"'I  will  'raise  him  up'  (John  vi.,40).  We  are  now 
going  beyond  this  life.  How  dark  would  it  have  been  if 
we  hadn't  this  to  look  forward  to  (39th,  40th,  44th,  54th 
verses)!  Four  times  'raised  up 'is  repeated.  We've 
got  a  Saviour  who  can  raise  the  dead.  My  little  child 
will  be  raised  up.  Thank  God,  the  Saviour  is  coming 
back.  The  grave — the  sea — will  give  up  its  dead.  Be- 
lievers in  Christ  will  be  raised  first,  and  they  will  reign 
with  him  a  thousand  years.      'Blessed  and  holy  is  he 


88  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

who  hath  part  in  the  first  resurrection.'  You've  seen 
steel  filings  in  a  lot  of  sawdust;  if  you  pass  a  magnet 
over  the  top  of  them,  the  steel  will  all  leave  the  sawdust 
and  fly  to  it;  and  so  will  the  holy  dead  be  sought  out. 
The  glory  is  in  the  future.  '  Caught  up  to  meet  the  Lord 
in  the  air.'     What  a  comfort  to  hear  it! 

"Blessed  verse!  'Father,  I  will  that  they  also  whom 
thou  hast  given  me  be  with  me  where  I  am ;  that  they 
may  behold  my  glory,  which  thou  hast  given  me :  for 
thou  lovedst  me  before  the  foundation  of  the  world ' 
(John  xvii.,  24).  I  have  formed  a  strong  love  for  the 
people  that  I  have  met  here  every  clay,  and  I  feel  very 
sad  about  going  away.  Death  will  make  sad  separations. 
It  is  now  on  the  stroke  of  the  last  hour.  A  year  hence 
a  good  many  here  will  be  in  their  graves.  Thank  God 
for  the  great  day  coming  when  we  will  be  gathered  round 
the  master.  Perhaps  that  day  is  a  good  deal  nearer  than 
we  think  it.  The  Bible  is  full  of  'I  will.'  We  have 
been  three  hours  at  it,  and  have  only  looked  at  seven 
most  sweet  ones." 

Mr.  Balfour:  "  Think  of  the  joy  of  Jesus  on  that  day 
of  glory.  Oh,  the  joy  of  God's  heart  being  fully  satis- 
fied !"  ' 

Mr.  Sankey:  "What  a  grand  all -day  meeting  we'll 
have  one  day !  All  will  come  up.  We  from  our  country ; 
you  from  yours.  We  must  soon  part;  but,  brethren,  'tis 
true  that  we'll  meet  some  day  'just  across  the  river.'" 

Captain  M'Kenzie :  "  When  I  come  in  from  work 
tired,  I  lie  down  for  a  short  sleep,  and  rise  refreshed  and 
ready  for  new  work.  If  we  are  laid  to  sleep  by  Jesus,  we 
shall  wake  up  refreshed.  We  will  be  engaged  in  God's 
work  throughout  eternity,  without  being  tired  or  weary." 


EDINBURGH.  89 

Mr.  Arnot:  "Grander  still!  Come  up  higher.  I, 
even  I,  an  atom,  will  take  part  in  the  up-bringing  of  the 
Saviour's  joy. 

'  Shall  we  meet  beyond  the  river, 
Where  the  surges  cease  to  roll?'" 

It  was  now  ten  minutes  past  eleven,  and  for  the  next 
hour  of  prayer,  praise,  personal  requests  for  prayer,  and 
tender,  tearful  words  from  Mr.  Moody,  a  solemn  stillness, 
the  felt  presence  of  the  Master,  the  action  of  the  blessed 
Spirit  of  Grace,  came  to  the  hearts  of  the  whole  assem- 
bly. Every  one,  ministers  and  multitude,  were  deeply 
affected.  Our  emotion  could  not  be  suppressed.  The 
gates  were  ajar,  and  it  seemed  to  be  heaven  itself,  and 
when  twelve  o'clock  rung  out,  our  hearts  were  pressed 
close  to  the  heart  of  God. 

The  intense  interest,  and  the  awe-striking  solemnity 
of  the  meeting,  increased  as  midnight  neared.  Five  min- 
utes before  twelve  all  sound  was  hushed.  The  distant 
shouts  of  the  revelers  outside  could  be  heard.  Kneel- 
ing, or  with  bowed  heads,  the  whole  great  meeting  with 
one  accord  prayed  in  silence;  and  while  they  did  so,  the 
city  clocks  successively  struck  the  hour.  The  hushed 
silence  continued  five  minutes  more.  Mr.  Moody  gave 
out  the  last  two  verses  of  the  hymn,  "  Jesus,  Lover  of 
my  Soul,"  and  all  stood  and  sung,  "  Thou,  O  Christ,  art 
all  I  want,  more  than  all  in  thee  I  find,"  etc.  After  a 
brief  prayer  the  benediction  was  pronounced,  and  all  be- 
gan, like  one  family,  to  wish  each  other  a  happy  new  year 
— "  a  year  of  grace,  a  year  of  usefulness,"  etc.  Messrs. 
Moody  and  Sankey  would  have  been  detained  shaking 
hands  for  an  hour,  if  they  had  not  slipped  away.  The 
love  they  have  won,  and  the  gratitude  all  feel  for  their 


90  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

ceaseless  labors,  joined  with,  a  sad  forecasting  of  the  ear- 
ly period  at  which  they  must  leave  Edinburgh  to  labor 
elsewhere,  make  their  hearers  very  tender  in  their  at- 
tachment to  these  honored  evangelists.  The  Jubilee 
Singers  have  also  endeared  themselves  by  their  very 
willing  contribution  of  their  beautiful  voices  to  the  en- 
joyment  of  those  meetings.  Their  "  Steal  away  to  Je- 
sus," "  The  Angels  are  hovering  over  Us,"  "  Depths  of 
Mercy  can  there  be?"  etc.,  will  long  ring  on  memory's 
ear.  Their  and  Mr.  Sankey's  deep  sympathy  with  the 
sentiments  they  utter  so  melodiously,  will  elevate  the 
conception  of  Christian  song  among  us,  as  not  a  hallow- 
ed amusement  merely,  but  elevated  and  elevating  wor- 
ship. 

Mr.  Moody  pronounced  the  benediction,  and  Mr.  San- 
key  and  the  sweet  Jubilee  Singers  burst  out  from  sur- 
charged hearts  into  joyous,  triumphant  praise,  the  like  of 
which  we  have  never  heard. 

Such  was  the  introduction  to  the  year  1874.  At  its 
close,  he  publicly  stated,  in  a  crowded  meeting  in  Man- 
chester, that  it  had  been  the  best  year  of  his  life.  He 
had  been  more  used  by  God,  than  in  ail  the  preceding 
seventeen  years.  He  did  not  know  of  one  sermon  he 
had  delivered  that  had  not  been  blessed  in  the  conver- 
sion of  some  souls.  This  he  said  while  commenting 
upon  the  first  part  of  the  one  hundred  and  third  Psalm : 
"  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul." 

IMMENSE  MEETINGS  IN  BERWICK-ON-TWEED. 

Tuesday,  January  13th,  was  a  memorable  day  in  the 
religious  history  of  Berwick.  It  having  been  announced 
that  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  were  to  visit  the  town 


EDINBURGH.  91 

on  that  day  and  hold  meetings,  large  numbers  of  people 
were  brought  into  the  town  by  the  several  lines  of  rail- 
way, from  distances  of  twenty  and  thirty  miles.  The 
forenoon  trains  down  the  vale  of  the  Tweed  were  ex- 
tremely crowded  ;  but  additional  carriages  were  provided 
for  the  return  journey.  In  one  carriage  an  interesting 
account  of  the  Edinburgh  meetings  of  the  previous  day 
was  read  from  a  daily  paper;  in  another  carriage  we 
heard  the  singing  of  hymns ;  and  in  all  the  one  subject 
of  conversation  was  the  meetings  to  which  most  of  the 
passengers  seemed  to  be  on  their  way.  The  readiness 
with  which  people  were  allowed  to  enter  at  the  various 
stations  into  compartments  where  there  was  only  stand- 
ing-room, was  something  new  in  the  experience  of  rail- 
way traveling.  The  first  meeting  began  at  noon,  being 
the  midday  prayer-meeting,  which  is  held  daily  in  the 
Eev.  James  Stevens's  church  for  one  hour.  The  Kev. 
Mr.  Chedburn  presided,  and  short  prayers  were  offered 
by  a  number  of  ministers  and  laymen,  between  which 
hymns  were  sung  with  much  spirit.  Messrs.  Moody  and 
San  key  arrived  from  Edinburgh  shortly  after  the  meet- 
ing commenced,  and  both  delivered  short  addresses.  The 
under  part  of  the  church  was  filled,  many  strangers  be- 
ing present.  Two  meetings  were  held  in  the  Corn  Ex- 
change; the  former  beginning  at  two  o'clock  P.M.  The 
great  hall  of  the  Exchange  was  filled,  and  the  passages 
occupied,  though  not  so  closely  packed  as  in  the  evening. 
Mr.  Sankey  sung,  and  Mr.  Moody  preached  from  Romans 
iii.,  22  :  "  There  is  no  difference."  The  acoustic  princi- 
ples on  which  the  hall  is  constructed  are  not  good,  and 
Mr.  Moody  was  imperfectly  heard  in  many  parts,  but  Mr. 
Sankey's  fine  voice   was  heard  in  every  corner.     Mr. 


92  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GR£AT  BRITAIN. 

Moody  closed  his  discourse  with  the  touching  narrative 
of  the  return  of  a  prodigal ;  and  Mr.  San  key  immediately 
sung  with  thrilling  effect  his  Christian  song,  "  The  Prod- 
igal Child,"  beginning,  "Come  home,  come  home,  thou 
art  weary  at  heart,"  etc.  It  seemed  to  take  the  vast  con- 
gregation by  surprise,  and  was  the  first  thing  that  power- 
fully affected  them.  It  was  most  aptly  chosen,  and  gave 
a  very  favorable  illustration  of  what  is  called  "singing 
the  Gospel."  A  number  of  anxious  inquirers  waited, 
and  were  conversed  with  after  the  meeting  was  closed. 

The  next  meeting  was  held  in  Wallace  Green  Church 
at  six  o'clock.  The  large  church  was  well  filled  in  the 
lower  part,  with  a  few  people  in  the  galleries ;  but  the 
great  body  of  the  people  had  gone  to  the  Corn  Exchange 
to  wait  till  seven  o'clock,  the  hour  announced  for  com- 
mencing the  service  there.  When  Messrs.  Moody  and 
Sankey  met  with  the  ministers  in  Dr.  Cairns's  room  at 
Wallace  Green  Church,  a  message  was  brought  that  the 
great  hall  of  the  Exchange  was  already  filled  in  every 
part.  Two  ministers  were  then  appointed  to  address  the 
vast  assemblage  while  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  were 
engaged  in  Wallace  Green.  The  Kev.  Messrs.  Mearns, 
of  Coldstream,  and  Leitch,  of  Newcastle,  and  afterward 
Mr.  Moody,  addressed  the  audience  in  the  Exchange. 
The  male  part  of  the  audience  seemed  to  preponderate. 
It  was  a  vast  mass  of  earnest  listeners.  We  observed 
ministers  of  all  denominations  present  from  the  towns 
and  villages  of  the  neighborhood,  extending  over  a  wide 
district,  many  of  whom  remained  for  the  evening  meeting. 
Reference  was  made  in  one  of  the  addresses  in  the  Ex- 
change to  the  case  of  a  mother  who,  by  believing,  had 
entered  into  peace  in  the  afternoon  of  that  day,  and  re- 


EDINBURGH.  93 

quested  thanks  to  be  returned  for  the  blessing  she  had 
received,  and  prayer  to  be  offered  for  the  recovery  of  her 
prodigal  son.  This  was  mentioned  as  the  first  convert 
of  the  day,  and  the  fact  was  received  as  a  proof  of  the 
presence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  answer  to  the  prayers 
which  had  been  offered  for  a  great  blessing  to  accompany 
the  services  of  that  day.  This  circumstance  seemed  to 
make  a  deep  impression  on  the  audience,  and  enabled 
them  to  realize  the  fact  that  the  Spirit  of  God  was  indeed 
among  them,  in  answer  to  prayer.  It  was  afterward 
found  in  the  inquirers'  meeting,  that  many  had  been  so 
deeply  impressed  in  the  Exchange  that  they  felt  con- 
strained to  come  among  the  anxious,  asking  to  be  direct- 
ed to  the  Saviour.  Mr.  Sankey's  singing  excited  wonder- 
ful interest.  "Sweeping  through  the  Gates,"  "Jesus  of 
Nazareth  passeth  by,"  and  others,  produced  a  deep  im- 
pression. 

When  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  left  Wallace  Green 
for  the  Exchange,  the  meeting  was  continued  in  the  for- 
mer place,  and  addresses  by  the  Eevs.  Dr.  Cairns,  E.  Scott, 
of  Berwick,  and  P.  Mearns,  of  Coldstream.  The  audience 
gradually  increased,  till  near  the  close  of  the  third  ad- 
dress such  a  crowd  rushed  into  the  spacious  church  as 
to  fill  every  passage  above  and  below.  It  was  soon  ex- 
plained that  this  was  the  second  meeting  which  had  been 
adjourned  from  the  Exchange  to  the  church,  where  there 
were  rooms  for  conversing  with  the  anxious  in  a  more 
private  manner.  After  the  protracted  services  of  the  day 
it  might  have  been  expected  that  all  the  people  would 
have  gone  home,  as  it  was  now  half-past  eight  o'clock, 
and  many  had  been  occupied  with  a  succession  of  services 
from  noon.     The  second  meeting,  too,  possessed  no  pe- 


94  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

culiar  attraction,  consisting  only  of  short  addresses  with 
praise  and  prayer.  But  the  people  were  evidently  moved 
by  an  influence  which  all  could  feel,  but  not  fully  explain. 
After  two  days,  Dr.  Cairns  thus  wrote  of  it  to  the  Daily 
Review:  "  I  can  not  attempt  to  describe  the  appearance  of 
Wallace  Green  Church  at  the  evening  meeting  on  Tues- 
day, when  the  overwhelming  meeting  in  the  Corn  Ex- 
change was  dismissed,  and  those  who  gathered  for  prayer 
with  the  anxious  inquirers  crowded  in  to  fill  every  corner 
of  the  spacious  church.  The  shadow  of  eternity  seemed 
cast  over  the  great  congregation.  Many  were  observed 
to  be  in  tears;  and  as  the  inquirers  with  hurried  and 
trembling  step  passed  into  the  vestry,  the  deepest  awe 
and  sympathy  pervaded  the  meeting.  This  continued 
for  a  full  hour,  and  such  a  gathering  I  hardly  ever  ex- 
pect again  to  see  in  this  world." 

REVIEW  OF   THE   AWAKENING. 

During  the  last  two  weeks  much  progress  has  been 
made  by  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  in  reaching  the 
masses  of  the  population  of  Edinburgh  with  the  Gospel 
of  their  salvation. 

Tens  of  thousands  of  men,  women,  and  children  of  all 
classes  of  the  community  have  crowded  the  halls  and 
churches  where  God's  servants  have  preached,  and  sung 
of  Christ  and  the  Gospel. 

Multitudes  of  men  assembled  in  the  Corn  Exchange, 
and  multitudes  of  women  in  the  assembly  halls  and  ad- 
joining churches  on  the  Lord's  day,  to  hear  words  where- 
by they  might  be  saved  ;  and  on  the  week-days  the  daily 
prayer-meeting,  noon  and  night,  wTas  crowded  with  eager, 
anxious  throngs  of  Christians;  while  in  the  Newington 


EDINBURGH.  95 

United  Presbyterian  Church  and  the  Canongate  Parish 
Church,  fully  three  thousand  came  together  nightly,  to 
listen  to  the  singing  and  preaching  of  the  glorious  Gos- 
pel of  Christ. 

Bible  lectures  have  been  held  in  the  Free  Assembly 
Hall,  Yiewforth  Church,  West  Coates  Church,  and  Free 
St.  Mary's,  and  thereby  many  have  received  clearer  light 
on  the  Gospel,  more  stable  standing  on  the  sure  founda- 
tion, and  blessed  freedom  from  bondage. 

Mr.  Moody's  excellent  plan  of  making  the  Bible  speak 
for  itself  by  quoting  text  after  text  and  commenting  on 
it,  and  enforcing  it  by  striking  illustrations,  has  been  of 
eminent  use  among  Christians  who  had  life,  but  no  liber- 
ty. Christ  has  said,  through  him,  to  many  a  bound  and 
groaning  one,  "Loose  him,  and  let  him  go." 

Mr.  Moody's  clear  preaching  of  grace  reigning  through 
righteousness,  and  salvation  by  grace  without  the  works 
of  the  law,  and  the  believer's  place  in  Christ  where  there 
is  now  no  condemnation,  and  where  sin  shall  not  have 
dominion  over  us,  because  we  are  not  under  law  but  un- 
der grace,  is  fitted  to  give  immediate  relief  to  burdened 
and  legal  Christians,  of  whom  we  have  crowds. 

His  mind  has  evidently  been  in  contact  with  clear 
Scripture  teachings,  such  as  one  seldom  meets  with  in 
our  day ;  for  he  has  learned  to  draw  his  words  of  grace 
and  truth  from  the  clear  crystal  river  of  Divine  Revela- 
tion, and  not  from  the  muddy  streams  of  human  theol- 
ogy ;  and  if  we,  ministers  of  Christ,  are  still  to  get  a  hear- 
ing from  the  people  who  have  hung  as  if  spell-bound  on 
the  ministry  of  Mr.  Moody,  we  must  preach  in  the  same 
simple,  Scriptural,  loving,  and  direct  manner.  He  has 
lifted  up  a  crucified  and  glorified  Christ,  honored  the 


96  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIX. 

Holy  Ghost  by  believing  in  his  constant  presence  and 
grace,  and  his  Gospel  has  been  made  the  power  of  God 
unto  salvation  to  unnumbered  souls.  We  calculate  that 
as  many  as  thirty  thousand  have  listened  to  his  beseech- 
ing voice. 

The  work  of  grace  is  n/>  doubt  deep,  wide-spread,  and 
extraordinary,  as  compared  with  the  state  of  things  spir- 
itually previous  to  the  coming  of  those  earnest  men  ;  but 
it  is  only  the  ordinary  and  normal  result  of  prayer  and 
preaching,  which  the  model  of  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles 
warrants  us  in  expecting  when  all  the  disciples  of  Christ 
are  continuing  with  one  accord  in  prayer  and  supplica- 
tions, and  in  dependence  on  the  Holy  Ghost  are  bending 
all  their  energies  to  the  one  work  of  getting  the  Christ 
of  God  magnified  by  the  conversion  of  perishing  souls. 
When  we  consider  that  the  great  bulk  of  the  ministers 
and  Christian  people  of  Edinburgh  have  been  doing  al- 
most nothing  else  for  nearly  two  months  but  giving  them- 
selves to  receive  blessing,  and  to  co-operate  with  our  ex- 
cellent friends  to  make  the  Gospel  triumphant  in  the 
city ;  and  when  we  consider  that  there  has  been  this 
concerted,  continued,  and  concentrated  effort  toward  this 
one  thing,  we  have  hardly  seen  so  much  fruit  as  we  might 
reasonably  have  expected ;  and  we  are  very  sure  that  if 
there  had  not  been  much  grieving  and  quenching  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  of  God  among  us  in  connection  with  this 
work,  both  secretly  and  openty,  he  would  have  wrought 
with  mightier 'power,  and  the  harvest  of  souls  would  have 
been  much  more  abundant. 

There  have  never  been,  as  in  other  days,  thousands  pen- 
tecostally  smitten  simultaneously  —  whole  meetings  ar- 
rested, as  in  the  years  of  the  right  hand  of  the  Most  High 


EDINBURGH.  97 

in  times  past,  and  made  to  stand  still  and  see  the  salva- 
tion of  God.  Might  the  Lord  not  have  given  such  pow- 
er as  would  have  left  hundreds,  instead  of  tens,  anxious- 
ly inquiring  what  must  we  do,  if  there  had  been  an  en- 
tire exclusion  of  "  the  flesh,"  and  a  total  self-surrender  on 
the  part  of  Christians,  more  regard  for  the  glory  of  Christ, 
less  grieving  and  quenching,  and  more  honoring  of  the 
Holy  Ghost? 

We  do  not  quite  sympathize  with  some  of  the  things 
which  have  been  said  about  Mr.  Moody's  preaching,  and 
especially  that  he  is  not  eloquent.  What,  we  would  ask, 
makes  the  meetings  flat  when  he  is  absent,  but  the  want 
of  a  quality  he  possesses?  And  what  makes  them  full 
of  life  and  spiritual  emotion  when  he  is  present,  but  just 
the  superior,  divine  eloquence  which  flows  in  his  burning 
words,  as  if  an  electric  current  were  passing  through  ev- 
ery heart? 

He  is  the  most  powerful  speaker,  the  most  eloquent 
preacher,  who  most  fully  carries  an  audience  with  him, 
and  produces  the  greatest  results ;  and  if  Mr.  Moody  is 
judged  by  such  a  rule,  he  is  one  of  the  most  eloquent 
of  living  men.  None  of  us  here  who  are  ministers  feel 
the  least  desire  to  speak  if  he  is  present,  for  with  all  our 
university  training  we  acknowledge  his  superior  power 
as  a  Heaven-commissioned  evangelist.  He  has  the  all- 
powerful  eloquence  of  a  man  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and 
of  faith,  and  fired  with  indomitable  zeal  for  the  glory  of 
Christ  and  the  salvation  of  souls.  He  may  be  devoid 
of  rhetoric  (and  that,  we  suppose,  is  meant),  and  he  may 
use  his  freedom  in  extemporizing  grammar  to  suit  him- 
self; but  withal  Moody  is  the  most  eloquent,  as  he  is  the 
most  successful  preacher  among  us.    The  Lord  be  praised 

5 


98  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

for  giving  such  gifts  to  men,  and  for  the  thousands  of 
souls  he  has  converted  by  him  in  this  citj,  or  set  into 
the  liberty  of  grace  by  a  fuller  knowledge  of  Christ  and 
his  finished  work. 

What  masses  of  young  people  from  the  schools  crowd- 
ed the  meetings  during  the  holidays !  And  so  great  has 
been  the  attraction  of  the  singing  of  the  one  and  the  elo- 
quence of  the  other,  that  hundreds  of  young  persons,  es- 
pecially of  the  higher  classes,  who  were  formerly  accus- 
tomed to  go  to  the  theatre,  opera,  and  pantomime,  gave 
them  up  deliberately,  and  from  choice  and  the  force  of 
conviction,  attended  the  Gospel  and  prayer -meetings. 
Men  who  can  draw  away  our  educated  children  by  the 
hundred,  in  this  city  that  boasts  of  its  education,  from 
these  haunts  of  amusement,  to  hear  of  Christ  in  preach- 
ing and  song,  and  embrace  him  as  their  Saviour,  and 
cling  to  them  as  their  friends,  have  that  spiritual  educa- 
tion which  ennobles  the  character,  implants  delicate  feel- 
ings, generous  sentiments,  tender  emotions,  and  gracious 
affections,  which  the  young  very  quickly  discover  and 
reciprocate. 

But  we  have  no  doubt  that  a  very  great  part  of  Mr. 
Moody's  superiority  over  most  ministers  as  a  preacher  of 
the  Gospel  arises  from  his  superior  knowledge  and  grasp 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey's  principle  for  Gospel  work 
is  the  recognition  of  the  divine  unity  of  the  one  body 
of  Christ;  and  accordingly,  wherever  they  go,  they  say, 
in  effect,  "A  truce  to  all  sectarianism,  that  the  Lord 
alone  may  be  exalted.  Let  all  denominations  for  the" 
time  being  be  obliterated  and  forgotten,  and  let  us  bring 
our  united  Christian  effort  to  bear  upon  the  one  great 


EDINBURGH.  99 

work  of  saving  perishing  souls."  It  is  a  charming  sight 
to  look  back  over  the  past  eight  weeks,  and  think  of  men 
who,  it  appeared,  were  for  all  time  to  come  in  religious 
antagonism  because  of  their  controversial  differences  on 
the  Union  question,  sitting  side  by  side  on  the  same  plat- 
form, lovingly  co-operating  with  those  American  breth- 
ren and  with  one  another,  for  the  conversion  of  souls. 
Old  things  seemed  to  have  passed  away,  and  all  things 
had  become  new,  and  all  rejoiced  together  in  the  bless- 
ing which  has  been  so  richly  vouchsafed  by  the  God  of 
all  grace. 

There  has  been  such  a  commingling  of  ministers  and 
Christians  of  all  the  churches  —  sectarian  thoughts  and 
feelings  being  buried — as  has  never  been  witnessed  in  this 
city  since  the  first  breaking-up  of  the  Church  of  Scot- 
land, more  than  one  hundred  and  forty  years  ago.  What 
all  the  ministers  and  people  of  Scotland  were  unable  to 
achieve — a  union  of  Christians  on  a  doctrinal  basis — God 
has  effected,  as  it  were,  at  once  on  the  basis  of  the  inner 
life,  by  the  singing  of  a  few  simple  hymns  and  the  simple 
preaching  of  the  Gospel;  for  as  the  unity  of  the  nation 
was  secured  by  the  one  purpose  to  make  David  king 
over  all  Israel:  "All  these  men  of  war  that  could  keep 
rank  came  with  a  perfect  heart  to  Hebron,  to  make  David 
king  over  all  Israel;  and  all  the  rest  also  of  Israel  were 
of  one  heart  to  make  David  king"  (1  Chron.  xii.,  38); 
so  the  one  purpose  to  have  the  Lord  Jesus  exalted  and 
made  supreme,  and  his  glory  in  the  triumph  of  his  Gos- 
pel and  the  salvation  of  sinners  made  manifest,  has  united 
the  ministers  and  Christian  people  of  every  name  in  the 
metropolis  of  Scotland :  "  and  there  was  great  joy  in  that 
city  "  (Acts  viii.,  8).     "Be  it  known  unto  you  all,  and  to 


100  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN 

all  the  people  of  Israel,  that  by  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ 
of  Nazareth,  whom  ye  crucified,  whom  God  raised  from 
the  dead,  even  by  him"  (Acts  iv.,  10)  hath  been  "shed 
forth  this  which  ye  now  see  and  hear"  (Acts  ii.,  33). 
"This  is  the  Lord's  doing;  it  is  marvelous  in  our  eyes. 
This  is  the  day  which  the  Lord  hath  made.  We 
will  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  it"  (Psa.  viii.,  23,  24). 

Mr.  Moody  is  overpoweringly  in  earnest,  and  he  brings 
in  the  direct,  decided  methods  of  an  energetic  man  of 
business  to  his  addresses,  in  conducting  meetings,  and  his 
dealing  with  souls ;  and,  as  a  preacher  generally  stamps 
his  own  image  upon  his  converts,  we  may  hope  to  see  a 
brood  of  decided  Christian  witnesses  and  testifiers  arising 
out  of  this  time  of  awakening,  that  will  let  it  be  known, 
that  the  glory  of  the  Lord  Jesus  is  the  uppermost  pur- 
pose in  their  hearts. 

This  witness -bearing  has  already  begun  in  colleges 
and  schools,  in  families  and  work-rooms,  in  drawing- 
rooms  and  kitchens.  There  are  discussions  going  on 
everywhere  regarding  both  the  men  and  the  movement. 
In  ladies'  schools  there  are  young  converts  testifying  for 
Jesus,  and  boldly  confessing  him  as  their  Saviour;  even- 
ing parties,  through  the  influence  of  the  young  believers 
in  the  household,  are  being  converted  into  Christian  as- 
semblies, to  talk  over  the  preaching  of  Mr.  Moody,  and 
to  sing  in  concerted  worship  the  hymns  and  solos,  which 
have  been  introduced  by  the  inimitable  singing  of  Mr. 
San  key. 

These  two  quiet  and  humble  Americans  have  all  but 
turned  society  in  Edinburgh  upside  down,  and,  by  the 
grace  of  God,  have  given  its  citizens  the  merriest  Christ- 
mas and  the  happiest  New  Year's  that  they  have  ever 


EDINBURGH.  101 

enjoyed,  by  gathering  them  around  the  Lord  Jesus. 
It  seems  as  if  a  voice  from  heaven  had  been  heard  say- 
ing, "  O  clap  your  hands,  all  ye  people ;  shout  unto  God 
with  the  voice  of  triumph.  God  is  gone  up  with  a 
shout,  the  Lord  with  the  sound  of  a  trumpet.  Sing 
praises  to  God,  sing  praises :  sing  praises  unto  our  King, 
sing  praises.  Sing  ye  praises  with  understanding"  (Psa. 
xlvii.,  1,  5-7). 

WHAT   GOOD    HAVE   MESSRS.  MOODY  AND  SANKEY  DONE 
IN  EDINBURGH? 

This  is  a  question  which,  in  its  inward  aspect,  can  be 
answered  only  by  Him  who  knows  the  hearts  of  men  ; 
but  that  which  is  visible  and  apparent  can  be  set  down 
in  writing. 

For  one  thing,  Mr.  Moody  has  given  the  Bible  its  due 
place  of  prominence,  and  has  made  it  to  be  looked  upon 
as  the  most  interesting  book  in  the  world.  This  is  hon- 
oring the  Holy  Ghost  more  than  all  the  prayers  for  his 
outpouring  that  have  been  offered ;  for  it  is  getting  into 
the  mind  of  God  as  the  Psalmist  got,  when  he  said, 
"Thou  hast  magnified  thy  word  above  all  thy  name." 
His  addresses  on  such  themes  as  "How  to  study  the 
Holy  Scriptures,"  and  "The  Scriptures  can  not  be 
broken  ;"  his  own  Bible  lectures,  which  were  so  full  of 
Scripture,  and  helpful  to  hundreds  of  Christians;  his 
constant  reference  to  the  Bible,  and  quotation  from  it 
in  his  preaching;  his  moving  about  among  the  anxious 
with  the  open  Bible  in  his  hands,  that  he  might  get  them 
to  rest  their  souls  on  the  "  true  sayings  of  God ;"  and 
his  earnest  exhortations  to  young  Christians  to  read  the 
Word,  and  to  older  and  well-taught  Christians  to  get  up 


102  THE  WORE  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

"Bible  readings,"  and  invite  young  Christians  to  come 
to  them,  that  they  might  be  made  acquainted  with  the 
mind  of  Christ,  all  showed  how  much  in  earnest  he  is  to 
give  due  prominence  to  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

Mr.  Moody  has  also  given  us  a  thorough  specimen  of 
good  Gospel  preaching,  both  as  to  matter  and  manner  of 
communication.  It  is  not  a  mixture  of  law  and  Gospel : 
his  Gospel  is  "the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  God,"  "with- 
out the  works  of  the  law,"  "  the  Gospel  of  God  "  coming 
in  righteously  and  saving  the  lost,  not  by  a  mere  judi- 
cial manipulation  and  theoretically,  but  by  grace,  power, 
and  life  coming  in  when  men  were  dead,  so  that  we  have 
not  only  sins  blotted  out  by  the  blood  of  Christ,  but  de- 
liverance from  sin  in  the  nature  by  death  and  resurrec- 
tion, and  life  beyond  death,  so  that  a  risen  Christ  is  be- 
fore us,  and  we  in  him,  when  it  is  said,  "  There  is,  there- 
fore, now  no  condemnation  to  them  which  are  in  Christ 
Jesus."  There  is  "justification  of  life"11  in  his  preaching 
immediately  that  we  are  "justified  by  Ms  blood.11 

He  has  also  distinguished  with  much  decision  and  pre- 
cision between  the  Adam-nature  and- the  new  creation  in 
Christ,  and  made  it  as  clear  as  noonday  that  salvation  is 
not  the  mere  setting  right  of  man's  existing  faculties, 
but  the  impartation  of  new  life  in  Christ,  a  new  nature,  a 
new  creation,  so  that  there  exist  two  utterly  opposed  na- 
tures in  the  one  responsible  Christian  man,  and  that 
"these  are  contrary  the  one  to  the  other;"  and  the 
knowledge  of  this  gives  young  Christians  immense  relief, 
and  a  solid  foundation  for  holiness  at  the  very  commence- 
ment of  their  Christian  course.  New  creation  in  Christ 
— not  the  mending  of  the  old  creation — is  Mr.  Moody's 
essential  idea  of  Christianity. 


EDINBURGH.  103 

This  also  leads  to  the  Pauline  theory  of  holiness,  as 
preached  by  him.  He  has  imbibed  very  fully  the  theol- 
ogy of  the  Epistle  to  the  Romans  on  this  point,  and  in- 
sisted, with  much  earnestness  that  Scripture  teaches  that 
Christians  are  not  under  the  law  in  any  form,  and  that 
this  is  essential  to  holiness:  "For  sin  shall  not  have 
dominion  over  you ;  for  ye  are  not  under  law,  but  un- 
der grace  "  (Rom.  vi.,  14) ;  "  But  now  we  are  delivered 
from  the  law,  that  we  should  serve  in  newness  of  spirit" 
(Rom.  vii.).  His  doctrine  is  that  the  law  never  made  a 
bad  man  good  or  a  good  man  better,  and  that  we  are  un- 
der grace  for  sanctification  as  well  as  for  justification  ; 
and  yet  the  righteousness  of  the  law  is  fulfilled  in  us  who 
walk  not  after  the  flesh  (that  is,  under  law)  "but  after 
the  Spirit"  (Rom.  viii.,  4).  His  clearness  in  distinguish- 
ing between  law  and  grace  has  been  the  lever  of  life  to 
many  souls. 

Our  American  brethren  have  also  been  of  great  use  in 
showing  us  what  may  be  accomplished  in  the  conversion 
of  souls,  if  the  heart  is  only  fully  set  upon  it,  and  there  is 
a  determination  to  have  it.  They  came  to  us  with  that 
distinct  aim  and  object  in  view,  and  the  Lord  gave  them 
the  desires  of  their  hearts ;  and  as  the  result,  hundreds 
of  souls  have  professed  salvation.  They  gave  themselves 
to  "  this  one  thing,"  and  they  stuck  to  it,  brushing  aside 
all  other  things.  Even  the  conventional  courtesies  of 
life  were  made  short  work  of  by  Mr.  Moody,  if  he  spied 
an  anxious  soul  likely  to  escape.  His  friends  might  in- 
troduce some  notable  stranger  at  the  close  of  a  meeting, 
and  feel  rather  annoyed  that,  instead  of  conversing  with 
him  or  her,  he  darted  off  in  a  moment  to  awakened  souls  ; 
but  he  made  that  his  work,  and  every  thing  else  had  to 


104  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

be  subordinate  to  it.  "This  one  thing  I  do,"  seems  to 
be  his  life-motto;  and  in  sticking  to  this  all-absorbing 
object,  be  has  read  us  a  noble  lesson  of  holy  resoluteness 
and  decision.  If  we  who  are  ministers  have  similar  faith 
and  expectancy,  and  work  like  our  American  friends  for 
the  conversion  of  souls,  the  conversion  of  souls  we  shall 
have.  Our  Lord  said  to  those  who  were  to  be  the  first 
preachers  of  his  Gospel,  "I  have  chosen  you,  and  ordain- 
ed you,  that  ye  should  go  and  bring  forth  fruit,  and  that 
your  fruit  should  remain  "  (John  xv.,  16) ;  and  when 
they  were  endued  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  power, 
they  did  "bring  forth  fruit"  in  the  conversion  of  souls 
(Acts  ii.,41;  iv.,4);  and  their  fruit  remained  (Acts  ii., 
42),  and  has  done  so,  in  the  millions  of  souls  saved  in  all 
ages  down  to  the  present  day. 

Our  friends  have  been  the  means  of  rescuing  hundreds 
of  souls  in  this  city  from  impending  and  everlasting 
damnation.  Their  labors  have  been  especially  fruitful 
in  the  conversion  of  young  women  and  girls,  who  in 
course  of  time  will  be  in  the  important  position  of  wives 
and  mothers ;  and  if  the  thousand  of  them  that  appenr- 
ed  at  the  young  converts'  meeting,  to  receive  Mr.  Moody's 
farewell  address,  should  all  hold  out,  it  will  be  an  un- 
speakable blessing  that  has  been  conferred  by  God  on 
this  community  through  their  instrumentality.* 

*  The  foregoing  account  is  abridged  from  the  very  full  statements  that 
have  appeared  in  the  British  journals. 


DUNDEE.  105 


II. 

DUNDEE. 

Dundee,  the  sea-port  town  of  Forfarshire,  Scotland,  has 
been  in  the  past  the  arena  of  fierce  battles,  and  of  excit- 
ing conflict  between  ecclesiastical  usurpation  and  Chris- 
tian liberty.  Its  zeal  for  the  Protestant  faith  at  the 
time  of  the  Keformation  won  for  it  the  name,  "the  sec- 
ond Geneva."  In  1645  it  was  besieged  and  stormed  by 
Montrose,  who  at  first  joined  the  Covenanters,  and  after- 
ward became  a  Royalist,  and  espoused  the  cause  of 
Charles  I.  In  1651  it  was  taken  by  General  Monk,  and 
a  sixth  part  of  its  inhabitants  were  massacred. 

On  the  21st  of  January,  1874,  a  small  band  of  Chris- 
tian soldiers  peacefully  entered  the  city,  bearing  only  the 
weapons  of  truth  and  righteousness.  They  come  to  save 
and  not  to  destroy.  Their  mission,  if  not  to  reform  the 
reformers,  is  to  sound  the  Gospel  trumpet  in  clear  and 
stirring  notes  along  their  ranks,  to  arouse  the  lukewarm, 
and  advance  the  columns  with  new  faith  and  enthusiasm 
against  the  common  foe.  Their  first  efforts  are  success- 
ful.  A  call  to  a  united  prayer-meeting  brings  together  a 
vast  crowd  at  the  Steeple  Church ;  and  supplication,  song, 
and  earnest  appeals  announce  the  opening  of  the  spirit- 
ual work.  On  the  following  day  Mr.  Moody  presided  at 
a  noonday  prayer-meeting  in  Free  St  Andrew's  Church  : 
this  meeting  was  continued  from  day  to  day.  The  chil- 
dren, too,  were  gathered  for  instruction ;  and  the  regular 

5* 


106  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

Sabbath  services  were  held,  with  the  usual  blessed  re- 
sults. On  February  6th  an  all-day  meeting  was  held; 
and  at  the  young  converts'  meeting  about  four  hundred 
were  present  to  express  their  faith  in  Jesus. 

The  following  delightful  account  of  the  revival  is  given 
by  the  Kev.  Mr.  Sharp,  of  Dundee: 

"I  am  glad  to  say  the  amount  of  blessing  that  has 
fallen  upon  Edinburgh  seems  to  be  imparted  to  Dundee. 
From  the  very  first,  all  the  meetings  have  been  very 
largely  attended,  and  the  whole  town  seems  to  be  moved. 
It  would  take  up  too  much  of  your  space  to  give  even 
an  outline  of  the  glorious  results  arising  out  of  the  vis- 
it to  this  town  of  these  two  honored  servants  of  God. 
Hundreds  of  anxious  souls  wait  every  night  to  be  spoken 
with,  as  well  as  many  at  the  close  of  the  midday  meet- 
ings. Day  after  day  the  interest  has  been  increasing. 
He  would  be  a  bold  man  who  would  dare  to  dispute  the 
good  that  many  have  received.  We  have  had  personal 
experience,  day  after  day  and  night  after  night,  of  hear- 
ing from  the  lips  of  persons  themselves  who  have  pro- 
fessed to  have  found  peace  to  their  own  souls  in  believ- 
ing in  Jesus  as  their  Saviour  since  these  meetings  began. 
I  do  not  believe  the  people  of  Dundee  had  ever  witness- 
ed such  a  sight  as  was  seen  here  last  Sunday. 

"Mr.  Moody  gave  an  address  to  workers  in  the  Kin- 
nard  Hall  in  the  morning.  The  admission  was  by  tick- 
et: the  place  was  filled.  He  also  preached  in  other  places 
through  the  day.  But  what  I  refer  to  principally  is  the 
evening  services — a  meeting  at  half-past  five,  and  anoth- 
er at  half-past  seven  in  the  Kinnard  Hall,  which  holds 
about  two  thousand.  No  one  can  form  the  least  idea  of 
the  scene  in  Bank  Street,  where  the  hall  is  situated. 


DUNDEE.  107 

Even  after  the  hall  was  filled,  the  street  was  crowded 
from  end  to  end  with  the  throng  eager  to  gain  access; 
but  it  could  not,  for  want  of  room.  Many  were  awaken- 
ed by  the  impressive  addresses  of  Mr.  Moody,  as  well  as 
the  beautiful  hymns  sung  by  Mr.  Sankey.  His  melodi- 
ous voice,  giving  such  charm  to  the  soul-stirring  words, 
produced  a  most  powerful  effect  upon  the  large  audi- 
ence. Hundreds  remained  to  be  spoken  with,  and  many 
gave  evidence  of  having  received  much  blessing. 

"  I  have  no  time  to  enter  into  the  full  particulars;  but 
allow  me  first  to  say  that  the  whole  of  the  meetings  are 
largely  attended,  both  by  males  and  females,  by  young 
and  old;  and  what  is  so  pleasing,  a  most  harmonious 
feeling  appears  to  pervade,  the  whole  town  among  all 
classes  and  denominations — ministers  and  people  all  re- 
joice together. 

"Mr.  Moody's  address  at  the  Bible-meeting  yesterday 
seemed  to  make  a  deep  impression  on  all  present.  His 
subject  had  reference  principally  to  searching  and  study- 
ing the  Word  of  God,  and  the  good  to  be  derived  to  our 
own  souls  by  so  doing.  The  large  audience  had  assem- 
bled in  Dr.  Wilson's  church — which  was  crammed;  and 
many  could  not  get  in  at  three  in  the  afternoon.  All 
present  looked  as  if  they  could  have  listened  another 
hour  to  such  profitable  instruction  and  glorious  truths  as 
fell  from  the  lips  of  the  speaker.  Even  the  very  young- 
est in  the  meeting  listened  with  most  intense  interest. 

"  God  seems  to  be  working  powerfully  in  Dundee, 
through  the  instrumentality  of  these  two  God-honored 
servants  of  his.  What  to  myself  is  very  encouraging  is 
the  absence  of  opposition,  which  is  so  common,  and  which 
is  so  often  raised  by  the  wicked  one. 


108  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

"No  one  can  fail  to  see  the  happy  and  cordial  feeling 
over  the  town.  All  seem  to  be  pleased  with  each  oth- 
er, and  no  one  who  has  the  least  drop  of  the  milk  of 
human  kindness  could  fail  to  be  delighted  to  see  the 
friendly  smile  of  each  and  all  as  they  greet  one  another 
in  the  street,  and  as  they  leave  the  meetings;  and  more 
especially  is  it  soul-cheering  to  see  how  the  young  chil- 
dren, along  with  their  parents,  enjoy  the  meetings.  And 
oh,  what  a  glorious  sight  to  see  and  to  hear  parents  and 
children  now  singing  together  with  one  heart  and  one 
voice,  'I  am  so  glad  Jesus  loves  me!'  I  pray  God  they 
may  be  enabled  to  hold  on  and  hold  out  to  the  end. 
Yes,  to  hold  the  fort  and  wave  the  answer  back  to  heav- 
en, '  By  thy  grace,  we  will.' 

"Having  attended  many  of  these  meetings  in  Edin- 
burgh, for  weeks  together,  as  well  as  many  of  the  meet- 
ings here  in  Dundee,  from  all  I  have  seen  and  know  from 
personal  experience,  I  am  satisfied  God  has  been  work- 
ing mightily  with  them  here,  and  the  power  of  the  Spirit 
of  God  has  been  felt  in  the  conversion  of  many  souls." 

In  the  following  June,  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey 
made  a  second  visit  to  Dundee,  when  the  enthusiasm  far 
exceeded  that  at  the  previous  visit. 

On  Tuesday  evening,  June  10th,  two  churches  were 
thrown  open,  but  so  great  were  the  crowds  seeking  ad- 
mission that  it  was  found  necessary  to  adjourn  to  the 
Barrack  Park,  where  an  immense  number  of  persons  of 
all  classes  speedily  assembled.  The  sight  of  so  many 
persons  hurrying  along  the  streets  from  the  churches  to 
the  park  had  the  effect  of  arousing  the  curiosity  of  many 
more,  who  also  hastened  to  the  meeting.  It  was  pleasing 
to  see  so  many  in  their  working  clothes,  mechanics  and 


DUNDEE.  109 

others ;  women  carrying  their  children  in  their  arms — in 
short,  many  from  the  humblest  ranks  of  life ;  and  Mr. 
Moody  preached  with  his  usual  pathos  and  force.  At 
the  close  of  the  service,  meetings  for  inquirers  were  held. 

On  the  following  Wednesday,  Thursday,  and  Friday 
nights,  open-air  meetings  were  held  in  the  same  place. 
On  each  successive  night  the  interest  and  solemnity 
seemed  to  grow  more  intense.  The  attendance  was  very 
large,  the  numbers  being  variously  estimated  at  from  ten 
to  sixteen  thousand  souls.  Nothing  could  surpass  the 
decorum  of  the  vast  assemblage.  There  was  no  sensa- 
tionalism in  the  service,  and  no  undue  excitement  in  the 
audience.  One  striking  feature  in  the  gathering  was 
the  unusually  large  proportion  of  men — shrewd,  hard- 
headed,  strong-minded  men — a  class  not  to  be  put  off 
their  feet  by  any  mere  sensationalism.  And  yet  we 
saw  the  eyes  of  hundreds  of  these  horny-handed  sons 
of  toil  suffused  with  tears  under  the  Word  of  God, 
which  was  preached  with  unaffected  simplicity.  One 
result  of  these  open-air  services  has  been,  that  a  greatly 
increased  number  of  men  have  come  forward,  asking  the 
question,  "What  must  we  do  to  be  saved?" 

At  Mr.  Moody's  suggestion,  special  evangelistic  serv- 
ices for  men  were  carried  on  nightly  for  the  next  fort- 
night. A  large  staff  of  male  Christian  workers  assisted 
in  this  special  effort. 

DUNDEE  AFTER  MESSRS.  MOODY  AND  SANKEY  LEFT. 

"  On  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  leaving  Dundee,  evan- 
gelistic services  were  held  in  various  churches,  with  many 
tokens  of  blessing.  The  number  of  inquirers  was  very 
considerable.     Many  cases  were  characterized  by  deep 


110  THE  WORE  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

conviction  of  sin,  and  there  were  several  remarkable  con- 
versions. Of  the  many  hundreds,  doubtless  some  were 
only  slightly  impressed,  while  others  are  bearing  about 
their  trouble  to  this  day.  For,  whatever  may  be  the 
explanation,  there  are  always  some  who  very  gradually 
arrive  at  settled  trust  and  peace  in  Christ.  As  the  result 
of  the  awakening,  there  have  been  large  additions  to  the 
membership  of  the  churches — in  some  congregations  as 
many  as  one  hundred  and  upward.  Great  care  has  been 
taken  in  watching  over  the  young  Christians,  and  we  do 
not  know  of  any  who  have  gone  back. 

"  On  the  occasion  of  the  second  visit  of  the  evangelists 
to  Dundee,  in  June,  when  great  open-air  meetings  were 
held  in  the  Barrack  Park,  Mr.  Moody  organized  and  set 
agoing  special  means  and  efforts  for  reaching  young  men. 
With  the  aid  of  a  large  staff  of  earnest  Christian  men, 
who  volunteered  their  services  at  the  call  of  Mr.  Moody, 
the  You n <?  Men's  Association  carried  out  the  scheme  with 
energy  and  success.  In  the  course  of  two  weeks,  upward 
of  one  hundred  and  thirty  young  men  were  individual- 
ly conversed  with,  almost  the  whole  of  whom  ultimately 
professed  faith  in  Christ.  The  work  has  been  carried 
on  throughout  the  year  by  the  Association,  as  well  as  by 
the  direct  instrumentality  of  the  churches,  with  much 
prayer  and  pains,  and  many  have  been  added  to  the 
Lord.  In  the  Post  and  Telegraph  offices  alone  there  are 
some  twenty  young  men  and  lads  who  have  come  over 
to- the  Lord's  side,  and  are  zealous  in  his  service.  As 
Andrew  found  his  brother  Simon,  and  brought  him  to 
Jesus,  so  in  many  a  pleasing  instance,  brothers  have  been 
bringing  brothers,  and  young  men  have  been  bringing 
their  companions,  to  the  Saviour.     The  seal  of  God's 


DUNDEE.  HI 

blessing  has  been  clearly  stamped  on  the  efforts  of  the 
Christian  young  men.  And  although,  to  the  eye  of  an 
observer  looking  only  on  the  surface,  nothing  may  be 
apparent  save  the  ordinary  ripple  of  Christian  work,  to 
those  who  look  more  closely,  a  powerful  under-current 
of  spiritual  influence  is  plainly  seen  to  be  at  work  among 
the  youth  of  our  town.  In  many  quarters  the  tide  is 
fairly  turned,  and  is  setting  in  steadily  in  the  right  direc- 
tion ;  and  we  expect  still  greater  and  better  things. 

"  In  regard  to  the  work  among  the  children,  we  have 
never  before  seen  so  much  precious  fruit  in  the  same 
space  of  time.  All  the  year  round  there  has  been  great 
joy  in  many  a  family,  and  in  many  a  Sabbath -school. 
Nor  has  this  joy  proved  to  be  evanescent  or  fruitless. 
To  this  fact  parents  and  teachers  bear  decided  testimony. 
Kunning  parallel  with  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  there 
has  been  a  remarkable  dispensation  of  Providence  in  the 
removal  of  many  little  ones  to  the  spirit-world.  Beauti- 
ful and  instructive  in  many  instances  have  been  the  last 
solemn  scenes  of  life.  To  the  clear  eye  of  a  child's  faith 
there  is  almost  no  darkness  in  the  valley.  To  the  ear  of 
the  little  Christian,  quick  to  catch  voices  from  above,  the 
solemn  sound  of  Jordan's  waters  has  no  terrors.  With 
marvelous  wisdom  and  force,  these  dying  children  gave 
forth  their  testimony  to  Jesus  and  his  grace. 

"While  the  immediate  results  of  the  work  are  exceed- 
ingly precious,  the  value  of  its  full  outcome  can  scarce- 
ly be  overestimated :  believers  are  refreshed  and  lifted 
higher — Christian  workers  of  every  class  having  renewed 
their  strength,  and  are  filled  with  fresh  hope  and  zeal. 
The  whole  body  of  the  living  Church  has  made  an  ad- 
vance;  her  forces  are  increased,  her  methods   are  im- 


112  TEE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

proved.  So  mighty  an  impulse  can  not  fail  of  great  and 
lasting  results.  But  there  remains  much  land  to  be  pos- 
sessed, and  from  the  recent  movement  there  comes  to  us 
a  loud  and  stirring  call  to  go  forward.  Thanking  God 
for  the  past,  and  taking  courage,  we  look  into  the  future 
with  heart  of  good  cheer;  for  we  feel  assured,  "Tis  better 
on  before !' " 


GLASGOW.  113 


III. 

GLASGOW. 

"And  I  saw another  book  was  opened,  which  is  the  book  of  life." 

— Revelation  xx.,  12. 

How  many  new  names  are  about  to  be  recorded  in  the 
Book  of  Life !  Is  there  joy  among  the  angels  of  God 
over  one  sinner  that  repenteth?  What  waves  of  intense 
delight  are  soon  to  roll  over  the  celestial  hosts!  How 
many  now  walking  upon  the  banks  of  the  beautiful 
Clyde  will  soon  be  found  upon  the  banks  of  the  river  of 
salvation,  and,  drinking  of  its  waters,  shall  live  forever ! 

On  the  Lord's  day,  February  8th,  1874,  the  evangelists, 
at  nine  o'clock,  in  the  City  Hall,  surrounded  by  three 
thousand  Sabbath-school  teachers,  commenced  the  Lord's 
work.  He  who,  seventeen  years  ago,  in  the  first  ardor 
of  his  desire  to  serve  Jesus,  applied  for  a  Sabbath-school 
class  in  a  mission  school  in  Chicago,  and  had  to  go  into 
the  streets,  among  the  poor  and  wretched,  to  gather  one, 
is  now  greeted  by  three  thousand  Sabbath-school  teachers, 
who  are  thrilled  by  his  presence,  and  who  seek  through 
him  God's  richest  blessings.  He  stands  before  them  as 
humble  as  when,  for  the  first  time,  he  opened  his  Bible 
to  teach  the  ragged  and  ignorant  children  around  him 
about  Jesus  and  the  cross.  They  salute  him  on  his  tri- 
umphal march  through  the  cities  of  the  British  realms, 
with  the  shout,  "  Give  God  the  praise !" 

Among  the  warm  friends  and  cordial  supporters  of 


114  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  ORE  AT  BRITAIN. 

Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey,  and  one  who,  by  his  accurate 
and  vivid  reports  and  delineations  of  their  work,  has 
served  to  greatly  increase  it,  is  the  Rev.  Dr.  Andrew  A. 
Bonar. 

We  can  not  do  better  than  to  give  his  letters,  abridged, 
describing  the  development  and  progress  of  the  work  in 
Glasgow : 

FIRST   LETTER. 

"Dear  Brethren, — You  wish  to  know  something 
of  the  work  of  God  in  this  city.  The  rumor  of  what 
God  was  working  elsewhere,  especially  as  the  cloud  of 
blessing  seemed  to  come  nearer  us,  had  prepared  the 
way  for  our  American  brethren's  visit;  indeed,  there 
were  cases  where  persons  were  awakened  to  conversion 
by  the  single  rumor  of  others  being  so  blessed.  Let  me 
give  you  notes  of  what  has  been  passing  here  during 
these  few  days,  with  all  the  freedom  of  one  writing  to  a 
friend. 

"  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  began  their  labors  in 
Glasgow  on  Sabbath  morning,  the  8th.  At  nine  o'clock, 
in  the  City  Hall,  a  most  stirring  meeting  of  Sabbath- 
school  teachers,  numbering  about  three  thousand,  was 
held.  Mr.  Moody  took  this  way  of  engaging  the  prayer 
and  sympathy  of  three  thousand  workers  for  Christ  in 
the  beginning  of  his  labors.  Some  of  the  ministers  were 
in  a  certain  way  witnesses  of  the  effect  produced,  teacher 
after  teacher  coming  into  church  just  as  the  bells  ceased, 
with  happy,  thoughtful,  solemn  faces.  The  evening's 
teaching  could  not  fail  to  feel  the  influence  of  that  morn- 
ing. Half-past  six  was  the  hour  for  the  evening  evan- 
gelistic services,  but  more  than  an  hour  before  the  time 


GLASGOW.  115 

the  City  Hall  was  crowded  in  every  corner,  and  the  im- 
mense multitude  outside  were  drafted  off  to  the  three 
nearest  churches,  which  were  soon  filled.  Mr.  Moody's 
subject  was  'The  Gospel'  (referring  to  1  Cor.  xv.,  1-4), 
illustrated  and  enforced  in  his  usual  style,  downright, 
earnest,  and  powerful.  Mr.  Sankey's  singing  at  both 
meetings  began  at  once  to  be  felt  as  indeed  'the  Gospel' 
preached  by  singing,  impressive  and  melting,  as  well  as 
most  attractive.  Is  it  another  of  the  Lord's  many  new 
ways,  in  these  last  clays,  of  graciously  compelling  men  to 
come  in,  like  the  Grecian  mother's  agony  of  desire  ex- 
pressing itself  in  the  song  that  lured  her  wayward  child 
back  from  the  precipice  to  safety  ? 

"  The  daily  prayer-meeting  at  twelve  o'clock  was  be- 
gun on  the  Monday  following — held  in  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church,  Wellington  Street,  which  accommo- 
dates fifteen  hundred  persons.  Mr.  Moody,  after  the 
many  requests  for  prayer  had  been  taken  up,  started 
with  the  passage  in  2  Chron.  xx.,  which  records  Jehosh- 
aphat's  prayer,  especially  dwelling  on  verse  12  :  '  Our 
eyes  are  upon  Thee,  for  we  know  not  what  to  do.'  The 
church  was  full.  Mr.  Sankey's  singing  is  aided  by  a 
voluntary  choir  of  male  and  female  voices,  every  one  of 
the  number  throwing  heart  into  this  work  as  a  means 
of  winning  souls;  and  altogether  there  is  a  liveliness  as 
well  as  a  solemnity  in  the  crowded  meeting  such  as 
has  seldom  been  witnessed.  Christians  and  ministers 
of  all  denominations,  from  the  country  as  well  as  town, 
come  to  this  meeting;  it  is  a  meeting  that  sends  us  back 
to  apostolic  days,  when  the  multitude  were  of  one  heart 
and  of  one  soul'  (Acts  iv.,  32),  praying  '  with  one  accord' 
for  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the  city.     '  It  is  not 


116  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

preaching  that  Scotland  needs,'  said  one  brother;  'it  is 
prayer  and  power.'  Our  brethren  reckon  this  hour  of 
prayer  to  be  the  most  important  of  all  the  meetings, 
since  it  is  here  that  believers  are  to  be  filled  with  the 
Spirit  to  overflowing,  and  then  go  forth  to  the  unsaved. 

"As  I  do  not  promise  to  write  to  you  chronologically, 
let  me  give  one  sample  of  our  meetings.  On  Wednes- 
day the  chairman  read  Luke  v.,  17-31,  with  many  racy 
remarks  and  pointed  appeals;  and  when  the  meeting 
was  thrown  open,  five  or  six  persons  in  turn  spoke  brief- 
ly. A  minister  told  the  anecdote  of  a  Highland  chief- 
tain, who  used  to  say  that  it  was  not  right  to  ask  '  bless- 
ing' merely ;  God  wished  us  to  ask  'showers  of  blessing' 
(Ezek.  xxxiv.,  26).  A  friend  from  Edinburgh  stated 
that  there  was  no  symptom  of  decline — every  day  the 
prayer-meeting  in  the  Assembly  Hall  thronged,  and  ev- 
ery evening  some  cases  of  blessing  at  the  evangelistic 
meetings.  He  told  also  of  drops  falling  in  a  district  in 
Dumfriesshire.  One  of  the  ministers  of  the  city  drew 
attention  to  our  Lord's  conversations  with  souls,  urging 
on  all  this  means  of  laboring  for  the  Lord,  and  stating 
his  conviction  that  hundreds  of  souls  were  ready  to 
speak  their  minds  to  any  who  would  approach  them. 
Prayer  was  offered,  and  part  of  the  hymn,  'Jesus  the 
Water  of  Life  will  give  freely,  freely,  freely,'  was  sung. 
A  minister  from  Edinburgh  confirmed  by  some  further 
facts  what  had  been  stated  in  regard  to  the  blessing  there. 

"In  all  the  meetings  it  is  quite  common  to  see  tears 
trickling  down  the  faces  of  men  when  'Jesus  of  Naza- 
reth passeth  by'  is  sung.  A  young  woman  was  awaken- 
ed on  Sabbath  morning  by  the  hymn  sung  by  Mr.  San- 
key,  'I  am  so  glad  that  Jesus  loves  me.' 


GLASGOW.  117 

"  Perhaps  I  should  mention  here  that  one  of  your 
London  ministers  was  present  on  Thursday,  and  candid- 
ly said  to  the  meeting  that  he  had  come  the  day  before 
full  of  prejudice  against  these  gatherings;  but  that  all 
his  prejudice  was  gone.  He  urged  upon  all  present  (re- 
ferring to  Mr.  Moody's  subject  that  morning — 2  Kings 
iv.,  1-6)  to  come,  bringing  not  only  empty  vessels,  but 
vessels  large  and  deep. 

"  Thursday  evening's  meeting  was  in  the  City  Hall, 
and  consisted  wholly  of  men,  invited  by  ticket.  The 
very  look  of  the  meeting  was  solemnizing,  such  a  sea  of 
faces,  every  face  looking  at  the  speaker  with  fixed  and 
intense  earnestness.  '  Except  a  man  be  born  again  '  was 
the  subject.  There  had  been  much  prayer  offered  in 
prospect  of  this  gathering  of  men,  and  it  was  answered. 
Mr.  Moody  was  enabled  to  speak  in  marvelous  power, 
and  the  Spirit  assuredly  was  working,  so  that  from  time 
to  time  the  whole  mass  of  souls  seemed  moved,  and  bent 
down  under  the  truth.  The  hymns  sung,  too,  appeared 
to  have  a  wonderful  power  on  that  audience  of  men. 
When  at  the  close  those  were  invited  to  remain  longer 
who  were  on  the  Lord's  side  or  wished  to  be,  above  a 
thousand  kept  their  places ;  and  when,  after  four  brief 
prayers  had  been  offered  in  succession,  they  were  let  go, 
a  large  number  of  anxious  souls  remained.  Many  of 
these  last  were  very  deeply  concerned.  In  short,  it  was 
one  of  those  meetings  that  can  never  be  forgotten.  '  The 
power  of  the  Lord  was  present  to  heal.' 

"  Surely  the  Lord  is  gathering  in  his  elect  in  haste  be- 
fore the  great  and  notable  day  of  the  Lord.  And  as  in 
the  days  of  the  forerunner,  he  made  men  willing  to  go 
out  in  thronging  multitudes  to  the  desert,  seeking  out 


118  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

the  preacher,  the  preacher  not  needing  to  seek  out  them, 
so  it  is  now.  'The  kingdom  of  God  is  preached,  and 
every  man  presseth  into  it.'  Applications  for  visits  of 
our  two  brethren  come  in  from  all  the  region  round." 

SECOND   LETTER. 

"  Perhaps  we  in  Glasgow  are  at  that  stage  of  the  move- 
ment described  in  Acts  ii.,  47,  '  Having  favor  with  all 
the  people;  and  the  Lord  added  to  the  church  daily 
such  as  should  be  saved.' 

"At  the  daily  prayer-meeting  on  Friday,  13th,  thanks 
were  given  for  the  most  interesting  meeting  of  four  thou- 
sand men  in  the  City  Hall  on  the  preceding  evening. 
Mr.  Moody's  helpful  word  that  day  was  in  regard  to  the 
three  classes  of  believers  we  meet  with  everywhere : 
those  who  have  got  to  the  length  of  John  iii.,  15 ;  anoth- 
er class,  who  knew  by  experience  John  iv.,  14 — they 
have  the  living  water  springing  up  in  them  ;  and  a 
third,  and  best,  who  answer  to  the  description  in  John 
vii.,  38,  39 — true  believers,  and  pouring  out  on  others 
1  rivers  of  living  water.' 

"The  evening  meetings  were  held  again  in  the  two 
Barony  churches,  Established  and  Free,  and  many  anx- 
ious remained  behind  to  converse. 

"On  Saturday  the  meeting  (as  usual  on  that  day)  was 
specially  for  children — a  lively  and  impressive  meeting. 
The  church  was  filled  with  young  people,  and  there  have 
been  decided  conversions  in  connection  with  these  gath- 
erings for  the  young.  At  the  same  hour  the  usual  prayer- 
meeting  was  carried  on  in  Ewing  Place  Chapel,  close  by, 
and  the  place  was  filled. 

"  On  Sabbath  morning  there  was  another  gathering  of 


GLASGOW.  119 

Sabbath-school  teachers,  at  nine  o'clock.  These  were  not 
the  same  company  as  last  week,  but  from  another  part  of 
the  city.  The  City  Hall  was  the  place,  but  it  could  not 
contain  all  who  sought  admission.  The  address  by  Mr. 
Moody,  on  Matt,  xx.,  1-15,  made  the  privilege  of  work- 
ing for  the  Lord  appear  so  honorable  and  so  pleasant — 
especially  when  he  called  on  the  laborers  among  us  to 
leave  the  householder  to  give  whatsoever  he  might  think 
right,  and  not  '  bargain  for  a  penny  a  day ' — that  many 
felt  truly  humbled,  and  all  were  fired  with  new  desire  to 
win  souls,  a  work  and  privilege  which  angels  almost 
envy  us.  On  coming  out,  it  was  interesting  to  notice 
that  a  row  of  outside  listeners  had  stationed  themselves 
close  to  the  building,  eager  to  catch  at  least  the  songs  of 
praise. 

"None  of  the  evangelistic  services  are  held  at  the  usu- 
al hours  of  church  service,  but  much  prayer  went  up  for 
these  meetings  from  many  congregations  throughout  the 
day. 

"At  five  o'clock  the  City  Hall  was  filled  with  females 
only ;  and  so  deep  was  the  impression  that  about  a  hun- 
dred inquirers  remained  to  be  conversed  with,  some  of 
whom  were  led  into  light  and  liberty. 

"At  eight  o'clock,  there  was  a  vast  assembly  of  men 
only,  in  the  City  Hall.  They  were  packed  into  every 
corner ;  and  outside  were  nearly  as  many,  in  vain  seek- 
ing entrance.  It  was,  like  Thursday  evening,  a  memo- 
rable time.  Mr.  Moody's  subject  was  'Whosoever' — sal- 
vation absolutely  free,  all  gift;  nothing  between  a  sinner 
and  eternal  life  but  his  unbroken  will.  The  mass  of  men 
listened  with  intense  interest;  now  and  then  you  could 
see  a  tear,  or  the  head  bent  in  deep  emotion.     When  Mr. 


120  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

Mr.  Sankey  sung  the  hymn,  'I  am  coming  to  the  Cross,' 
nothing  could  exceed  the  rapt,  silent  attention.  When 
he  came  to  the  verse, 

'  In  the  promises  I  trust, 

Now  I  feel  the  blood  applied: 
I  am  prostrate  in  the  dust ; 
I  with  Christ  am  crucified,' 

not  a  head  in  the  vast  multitude  moved,  every  face  ex- 
pressed deep  feeling.  This  verse  was  repeated  amidst 
still  deeper  silence  and  emotion.  At  the  close,  when  an 
invitation  was  given  to  remain  twenty  minutes  simply 
for  prayer,  more  than  a  thousand  remained,  and  there- 
after a  large  number  waited  for  conversation,  though  the 
hour  was  late. 

"In  the  daily  prayer-meeting,  one  of  our  brethren  un- 
dertakes to  arrange  beforehand  the  requests  for  prayer — 
an  important  service,  for  they  mount  up  from  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  to  two  hundred  every  day. 

"The  evening  of  Monday  had  been  appointed  as  a  time 
when  all  inquirers  awakened  during  last  week  should 
meet  for  counsel  and  conversation  with  Mr.  Moody  and 
Mr.  Sankey,  assisted  by  Christian  workers.  Above  two 
hundred  came,  and  of  these  a  hundred  were  men,  all  will- 
ing, as  far  as  they  could,  to  tell  '  what's  the  trouble?'  It 
was  felt  by  all  who  took  part  to  be  a  time  of  singular  so- 
lemnity—  reapers  gathering  up  sheaves  for  the  Lord's 
garner.  This  was,  indeed,  an  encouraging  result  of  one 
week's  prayer,  preaching,  and  singing. 

"I  do  not  attempt  to  give  an  accounl?  of  every  meet- 
ing from  day  to  day,  though  there  has  been  no  day  with- 
out its  incidents  worth  preserving.  There  is  over  the 
city  a   breathing   of  the  quickening  Spirit.     Christian 


GLASGOW.  121 

workers  find  it  easy  to  approach  men  on  the  matter  of 
salvation. 

11  Mr.  Moody  began  his  Bible-readings  in  the  Free  Col- 
lege Church  (Dr.  Buchanan's).  That  day  Dr.  Fairbairn, 
Principal  of  the  Free  College,  presided.  Many  minis- 
ters of  all  denominations  were  present.  Mr.  Moody's  sub- 
ject was, '  The  Blood  of  Atonement,'  '  the  scarlet  line  that 
binds  together  every  leaf  of  the  Bible.'  The  audiences 
that  crowded  the  church  were  usually  of  a  more  ed- 
ucated and  fashionable  kind  than  attended  in  the  even- 
ings ;  and  they  heard  a  most  clear,  powerful,  decided  state- 
ment of  saving  truth,  illustrated  by  many  touching  inci- 
dents ;  and  well  worth  remembering  was  the  preacher's 
testimony  that  wherever  he  had  been,  in  any  part  of  the 
world,  he  had  found  that  those  ministers  who  preached  the 
blood,  were  the  men  who  were  winners  of  souls.  We  call- 
ed to  mind,  as  he  said  this,  the  counsel  of  a  much-blessed 
Methodist  to  those  around  him, 'Live  in  the  sacrifice! 
Live  in  the  sacrifice !'  These  afternoon  Bible-readings 
are  thronged,  and  this  is  itself  an  important  fact;  for  atten- 
tion to  the  Word  of  God,  and  the  true  sense  of  it,  was 
the  prominent  characteristic  of  revival  in  the  days  of  Ne- 
hemiah  (chap,  viii.,  1-8,  and  ix.,  3).  Indeed,  it  is  a  ques- 
tion how  far  any  revival  is  likely  to  yield  much  perma- 
nent fruit  where  a  real  hunger  for  the  Word  does  not 
characterize  it.  In  Josh,  i.,  8,  and  Psa.  i.,  2,  3,  constant 
meditation  on  the  Lord's  law  are  enjoined  as  the  grand  se- 
crets of  spiritual  freshness  and  growth. 

"At  nine  o'clock  the  Christian  young  men  of  the  city 
met  in  Ewing  Place  Chapel,  to  consult  with  Mr.  Moody 
as  to  what  they  might  do  to  forward  the  Lord's  work. 
Mr.  Sankey  gave  tone  to  the  meeting,  singing, 

6 


122  THE   WORE   OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

'Oh,  what  are  you  going  to  do,  brother? 

Say,  what  are  you  going  to  do  ? 
You  have  thought  of  some  useful  labor,'  etc. 

"When  Mr.  Moody  had  made  some  suggestions  and  got 
many  of  those  present  to  tell  their  own  views,  he  asked 
if  as  many  as  agreed  to  enter  on  such  a  plan  as  had  been 
suggested  would  rise  to  their  feet.  The  whole  number 
(there  must  have  been  seven  hundred  present)  at  once 
rose ;  and  already  these  young  men  have  begun  to  meet 
every  night,  between  nine  and  ten,  to  stimulate  each  oth- 
er to  watch  for  souls,  and  to  lay  hold  on  other  young 
men.  The  hour  is  fixed  thus  late,  in  order  that  there 
may  be  no  interference  with  other  meetings,  and  in  order 
to  give  opportunity  to  those  who  are  kept  late  by  busi- 
ness. What  a  field  Glasgow  presents  may  be  inferred 
from  the  fact,  that  the  young  men  of  the  city  between  the 
ages  of  fifteen  and  twenty-five  number  seventy  thou- 
sand." 

THIRD  LETTER. 

"  We  pass  on  to  the  Sabbath  morning  meeting  in  the 
City  Hall.  It  was  one  of  Christian  workers,  three  thou- 
sand of  whom  filled  the  place.  Mr.  Moody  spoke  on 
Isaiah  vi.,  8,  'Send  me.'  At  five  o'clock  the  hall  was 
filled  with  females  only,  and  at  eight  with  men  only. 
As  other  neighboring  churches  were  open  at  the  same 
time  for  the  overflow,  at  least  ten  thousand  persons  that 
night  heard  the  Gospel  in  a  special  manner.  From  half- 
past  six  onward  there  was  an  important  gathering  from 
all  the  meetings  in  the  old  College  Church,  of  all  who 
were  anxious,  and  above  two  hundred  souls  were  there 
in  the  course  of  the  evening.     It  was  a  busy  scene,  the 


GLASGOW.  123 

workers  dealing  with  individuals,  or  occasionally  in  little 
groups.  It  was  the  business  of  heaven  that  was  carried 
on.  The  wares  of  God's  market  were  exhibited  and 
pressed  on  the  acceptance  of  sinners,  without  money  and 
without  price.  I  could  not  help  going  back  to  the 
memories  of  other  days,  for  in  this  old  College  Church, 
in  Whitefield's  time,  there  ministered  one  whose  whole 
heart  was  in  revival  work.  This  was  Dr.  John  Gillies, 
who  not  only  laboriously  compiled  the  '  Historical  Col- 
lections,' one  relating  to  remarkable  periods  of  the  suc- 
cess of  the  Gospel,  but  used  also  to  send  forth  a  short 
weekly  paper — a  rare  thing  in  these  days — giving  infor- 
mation about  the  work  of  God  in  America,  Holland,  Ger- 
many, as  well  as  at  home.  What  a  joyful  sight  would 
Sabbath-night's  meeting  of  inquirers  have  been  to  him, 
gathered  on  the  spot  where  he  so  often,  and  so  pathetic- 
ally, called  on  his  people  to  cry  for  the  outpouring  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  on  Glasgow  and  Scotland  !  He  prefaced  his 
first '  Exhortation  to  the  Hearers  in  the  College  Kirk'  by 
such  burning  words  as  these,  '  Such  multitudes  of  my 
own  kin,  my  brothers  and  my  sisters,  going  to  hell,  nev- 
er to  get  out  again!  Break,  break,  hard  heart!  You 
who  read  these  lines,  think  not  my  words  strange,  but 
weep  with  me,  if  you  are  men,  and  not  stones.  O  Thou 
who  didst  weep  over  Jerusalem,  Thou  alone  canst  give 
us  comfort  in  this  overwhelming  calamity !  Heavenly 
Father,  for  thy  Son's  sake,  be  pleased  to  stir  up  many 
diligently  to  preach  the  Kingdom,  when  such  multitudes 
of  souls  are  in  danger  of  perishing!'  This  was  in  1751. 
Who  can  tell  but  that  that  man  of  God  may,  even  at  this 
hour,  have  been  made  glad  by  hearing  the  tidings  told, 
'in  the  presence  of  the  angels  of  God,'  that  many  sinners 


124  THE   WORK   OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

are  repenting  in  Glasgow,  and  that  there  have  been  many 
who  looked  to  Calvary,  from  the  spot  where  he  used  so 
to  yearn  over  souls? 

"Wednesday^  February  loth. — Yesterday's  noon  meeting 
was  full  of  interest.  Dr.  Cairns,  from  Berwick,  presided. 
He  read  Isa.xii.  previous  to  telling  us  some  of  the  'ex- 
cellent things'  which  the  Lord  has  been  doing  in  Ber- 
wick. After  '  declaring  his  doings,'  he  earnestly  and 
lovingly  urged  all  ministers  and  believers  to  use  this 
present  tide-time,  by  going  to  individuals,  and  not  wait- 
ing till  they  came  to  ask.  Mr.  Moody  afterward  took 
up  this  remark,  enforcing  it,  and  pressing  it  on  all  who 
would  win  souls;  for  when  the  Son  of  Man  came  to 
'save,'  he  first  of  all  went  to  ' seek''  the  lost.  The  City 
Hall  evening  meeting  had  been  specially  kept  for  friends, 
from  places  situated  on  the  railway,  who  had  intimated 
their  desire  to  come,  but  there  were  fully  as  many  pres- 
ent from  the  city.  The  most  memorable  meeting  that 
evening  was  that  of  the  young  men  in  Ewing  Place 
Chapel  at  nine  o'clock.  A  deputation  of  four  young 
men  from  Edinburgh  began  the  evening's  work,  each  in 
turn  speaking  with  persuasive  earnestness.  Then  Dr. 
Cairns,  with  freshness  and  fervor,  as  if  he  had  returned 
to  the  days  of  his  youth,  addressed  them,  and  was  follow- 
ed by  Kev.  J.  H.  Wilson,  from  Edinburgh,  who  brought 
them  to  the  point,  '  Why  not  to-night?'  When  Mr. 
Moody  came  in,  he  saw  the  impression  resting  on  the 
meeting,  and  proposed  that  at  once,  on  the  spot,  oppor- 
tunity should  be  given  of  dealing  with  all  who  desired 
to  take  Christ  as  theirs.  The  three  front  seats  of  the 
church  were  cleared,  and  an  invitation  given  to  those 
young  men  present,  who  professed  to  have  this  desire,  to 


GLASGOW.  125 

come  forward.  The  seats  were  immediately  filled,  and 
when  three  other  seats  had  been  cleared  as  before,  an- 
other stream  of  young  men  poured  in.  Some  one  pres- 
ent counted  in  all  one  hundred  and  one,  and  there  were 
others  who  felt  as  those  who  came  forward,  though  they 
kept  their  seats.  During  prayer  intense  emotion  was 
manifested  by  many,  and  an  awful  solemnity  was  felt  to 
pervade  the  place.  It  was  a  night  not  to  be  forgotten. 
Christian  friends  remained  conversing  with  the  anxious 
till  about  twelve  o'clock.  And  next  night  the  chapel 
was  filled  with  nine  hundred  or  one  thousand  young 
men,  who  were  again  addressed  by  the  deputation  from 
Edinburgh  and  others.  When  Mr.  Sankey  had  sung 
'Almost  Persuaded,'  Mr.  Moody  asked  all  to  retire,  ex- 
cept those  who  wished  to  converse  about  their  souls'  sal- 
vation. There  must  have  been  not  fewer  than  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  who  remained,  and  Christian  workers 
were  occupied  with  them  till  near  twelve  o'clock.  It 
was  a  glorious  harvest-field. 

"Thursday,  February  26th. — To-day's  noon  meeting  was 
lively  and  warm.  After  singing  and  presenting  to  the 
Lord  in  silent  and  public  prayer  the  numerous  requests, 
Matt,  vii.,  7-11,  was  read,  in  connection  with  which  Mr. 
Moody  detailed  several  most  interesting  answers  to 
prayer  he  had  just  heard  of  in  letters  from  America. 
One  of  the  cases  was  the  following:  He  had  once,  after 
most  urgent  solicitation,  preached  in  a  small  church  on 
the  prairies,  where  one  Christian  woman  continued  pray- 
ing day  and  night  for  the  pleasure-loving  young  peo- 
ple, whose  only  enjoyment  seemed  to  be  the  song  and 
the  dance.  A  letter  received  that  morning  brought  the 
cheering  tidings  that  in  that  same  spot  thirty-two  young 


126  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

men  were  now  on  the  Lord's  side,  and  working  for  him. 
Mr.  Keaj,  of  Free  Trinity  Church,  spoke  of  last  night  as 
the  most  fruitful  in  his  ministry.  He  had  been  detained 
in  his  vestry  for  five  hours,  partly  conversing  with  in- 
quirers, and  partly  hearing  the  story  of  deliverance  given 
to  awakened  ones.  Dr.  Buchanan,  Free  College  Church, 
read  a  letter  from  all  the  evangelical  ministers  of  Kirk- 
wall, and  thirty  elders,  inviting  our  beloved  and  honored 
American  brethren  to  come  and  help  them.  He  then 
asked  all  to  unite  in  prayer  for  these  brethren  in  the 
Orkney  Isles. 

"  On  the  memorable  Tuesday  night  of  the  young 
men's  meeting,  a  youth  from  Ireland  was  led,  on  his 
way  to  the  theatre,  to  turn  aside  into  Ewing  Place  Chap- 
el, and  it  became  his  birthplace  for  eternity.  He  had 
come  to  town  with  a  full  purpose  of  finding  out  its  gay- 
eties  and  pleasures,  and  of  returning  home  to  tell  his 
companions  what  he  had  enjoj^ed.  That  night  he  was 
'  apprehended'  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  under. the  solemn, stir- 
ring appeals  of  the  deputation  from  Edinburgh.  When 
opportunity  to  come  forward  for  special  prayer  was  given 
to  all  who  would  fain  be  decided  for  the  Lord,  he  press- 
ed forward  at  once  ;  all  the  time  that  prayer  was  offer- 
ed by  various  pleaders,  his  one  cry  from  the  heart  was, 
/Lord,  have  mercy  on  me,  a  sinner!'  He  saw  and  un- 
derstood the  way  of  salvation,  but  one  difficulty  remain- 
ed, viz., 'What  would  he  feel  or  do  on  the  morrow?' 
This  difficulty,  however,  was  removed  by  the  remark  of 
one  with  whom  he  conversed,  who  said,  'Surety,  if  you 
trust  Jesus  to  save  you,  you  may  trust  him  to  keep  you 
ever  after.'  He  returned  to  his  room  that  night  only  to 
tell  his  astonished  friend  that  now  he  was  a  new  crea- 


GLASGOW.  127 

ture.  Every  thought  about  theatre,  opera,  amusement, 
had  given  place  to  the  one  absorbing  thought  of  salva- 
tion, and  a  Saviour  found !" 

FOURTH  LETTER. 

". l  There  is  something  far  better  than  gold.  God  thinks 
so  little  of  gold  that  in  the  New  Jerusalem  it  is  used  for 
paving  the  streets.'  In  one  of  his  Bible-readings  Mr. 
Moody  made  the  above  remark,  and  every  Christian 
man  will  understand  it.  The  joy  of  winning  souls,  and 
of  seeing  souls  won  to  Christ,  is  better  joy  than  the 
world's  best.  And  the  Lord  is  giving  largely  of  his 
gladness  to  his  own  at  this  time. 

"The  'thanksgivings'  at  the  various  meetings  are 
worthy  of  notice,  were  it  only  in  the  way  of  reminding 
our  readers  that,  like  frankincense  put  to  the  meat-offer- 
ing (Lev.  ii.,  2),  this  grace  must  be  in  actual  exercise 
wherever  true  prayer  is  going  up.  'In  every  thing  by 
prayer  and  supplication,  with  thanksgiving'  (Phil,  iv.,  6), 
is  the  divine  rule.  The  leper  who  has  been  blessed  must 
return  to  give  glory  to  God. 

"There  is  a  children's  meeting  held  every  Saturday; 
it  is  crowded.  Other  persons  are  not  admitted  unless 
they  are  bringing  some  children  with  them.  As  yet, 
there  is  no  very  general  movement  among  the  young, 
though  there  are  many  cases  of  decided  conversion  in  sev- 
eral of  our  Sabbath -schools.  When  Mr.  E.  P.  Hammond 
was  here  among  us,  six  }^ears  ago,  the  great  blessing 
came  on  the  young,  and  only  drops  fell  on  the  older  ones. 
The  Lord  is  sovereign  as  to  times  and  ways  of  working. 

"Every  night  at  nine  o'clock  the  young  men  meet, 
and  the  work  among  them  makes  steady  progress.     On 


128  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

Monday  evening  Mr.  Moody,  as  usual,  came  in  near  the 
close  of  the  hour,  read  Eom.  x.,  10,  and  made  some  hap- 
py remarks  on  the  importance  of  'confessing  Christ  with 
the  mouth.'  Through  neglect  of  this  many  are  left  in 
something  like  darkness,  and  have  little  joy.  We  ought 
to  speak  for  Christ;  at  the  same  time  we  must  beware 
of  spiritual  pride.  Heart  utterances  are  what  we  want, 
not  flowing  eloquence.  Whenever  the  devil  whispers, 
1  That  was  a  good  address,'  you  are  in  danger. 

"After  a  hymn  had  been  sung,  an  opportunity  was 
given  to  those  recently  brought  to  Christ  to  tell  '  how 
great  things  the  Lord  had  done  for  them,  and  how  he 
had  had  compassion  on  them '  (Mark  v.,  19).  The  first 
young  man  who  spoke  began  by  saying,  'I  was  one  of 
the  one  hundred  and  one.'  He  meant  by  this  expres- 
sion to  refer  to  the  memorable  Tuesday  night  last  week, 
when  a  breathing  of  the  Holy  Spirit  passed  through  the 
assembly,  and  one  hundred  and  one  young  men  came  to 
the  front  seats,  asking  to  be  prayed  for,  and  guided  into 
the  truth.  The  speaker  added,  'I  have  been  wishing  to 
be  saved  for  many  years.  When  those  who  were  sure 
that  they  were  Christians  were  asked  to  stand  up,  I  felt 
that  I  could  not  honestly  do  so,  though  I  was  a  member 
of  the  church,  a  Sabbath-school  teacher,  and  was  one  of 
the  ten  who  had  sent  in  a  request  for  our  warehouse 
for  prayer  on  our  behalf.  I  kept  my  seat.  Mr.  Moody 
then  asked  all  that  were  Christians  to  leave  the  three 
front  pews.  I  occupied  one  of  these,  and  when  the  oth- 
ers went  out  I  kept  my  place.  Thinking  that  I  had,  per- 
haps, misunderstood  him,  Mr.  Moody  kindly  said  to  me, 
"Are  you  not  a  Christian  ?"  I  said,  "  I  am  not."  But 
that  very  night  I  found  Christ.' 


GLASGOW.  129 

"A  young  student  next  spoke.  '  I  also  was  one  of  the 
one  hundred  and  one  that  night  Though  taking  part 
in  Christian  work,  I  felt  my  need  of  what  I  had  not 
found.  That  night,  at  the  meeting  for  conversation,  five 
of  the  young  men  in  succession  spoke  to  me ;  and,  un- 
known to  the  other,  quoted  to  me  John  v.,  24,  "Verily, 
verily  I  say  unto  you,  He  that  heareth  my  word  and  be- 
lieveth  on  him  that  sent  me,  hath  everlasting  life."  I 
was  at  length  enabled  to  apprehend  the  truth,  and  I  now 
thank  the  Lord  for  saving  me,  and  pray  that  all  here  may 
be  brought  to  Christ.' 

"Another  spoke :  '  I  had  been  seeking  Christ  a  long 
time.  That  night,  when  I  was  going  away  without  re- 
lief, Mr.  Moody  came  up  and  took  me  kindly  by  the 
hand.  He  looked  at  me — I  might  say  he  put  his  two 
eyes  right  through  mine — and  asked  me  if  I  would  take 
Christ  now.     I  could  not  speak,  but  my  heart  said,  Yes.' 

"  The  above  may  give  some  idea  of  the  intensely  in- 
teresting scene.  ■  A  dozen  more  declared  what  God  had 
done  for  their  souls.  Not  only  on  that  night,  but  on 
some  of  the  after-evenings,  a  similar  scene  has  been  wit- 
nessed. Last  night,  one  very  intelligent  young  man  told 
briefly,  but  very  clearly,  what  his  state  had  been  till  he 
was  awakened  on  Sabbath  evening  last,  and  how  misera- 
ble he  had  been  on  the  following  days,  not  being  able  to 
see  that  salvation  was  for  him.  Getting  a  ray  of  light, 
he  went  home,  read  John  iii.,  36,  'He  that  believeth  on 
the  Son  hath  everlasting  life,'  and  sought  on  his  knees 
to  be  led  into  the  truth.  'And,'  he  added,  'God  heard 
me.  I  believed  then  ;  I  believe  now  ;  I  am  a  ransomed 
soul.'  And  that  the  Lord  is  in  these  meetings  who  could 
doubt,  who  saw,  two  nights  ago,  sixty  or  seventy  of  these 

6* 


130  THE  WORE  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

young  men,  when  the  invitation  was  given,  rise  np  from 
their  seats,  as  an  intimation  that  they  desired  to  be  pray- 
ed for,  and  be  led  to  Christ?  Our  Scottish  youth  are 
not  at  all  demonstrative  in  regard  to  their  feelings;  it 
is  not  usual  for  them  to  tell  out  what  is  passing  in  their 
hearts  on  the  subject  of  their  state  toward  God  ;  and  this 
fact  makes  the  present  movement  all  the  more  remark- 
able. Till  they  have  got  faith  they  are  slow  to  speak 
about  their  feelings. 

"  On  Wednesday,  at  midday,  there  was  a  prayer-meet- 
ing of  fathers  for  their  children,  and  on  Thursday  of 
mothers.  To-day  a  meeting  of  sisters  was  held  in  Ewing 
Place  Chapel,  to  which  so  many  came  that  the  place  was 
filled.  I  understand  that  there  was  deep  solemnity  in 
the  meeting,  and  much  impression.  Mr.  Moody  stepped 
in  to  speak  an  encouraging  and  guiding  word;  and  it 
may  be  this  meeting  of  sisters  may  yet  become  a  mighty 
power  among  the  young  women  of  Glasgow." 

FIFTH  LETTER. 

"One  day  thanks  were  given  for  a  person  who  had 
been  blessed  while  the  hymn,  'Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth 
by,'  was  being  sung;  and  several  other  cases  were  re- 
ported, in  which  the  same  hymn  had  been  blessed.  Last 
night  I  met  a  Christian  working-man,  who  joyfully  in- 
formed me  that  'in  the  building-yard  where  he  worked 
this  week  there  had  been  two  boys  and  three  men  brought 
to  Christ.'  '  I  give  thanks  for  six/  was  on  a  paper  hand- 
ed in  at  the  prayer-meeting ;  while  a  disciple,  who  had  for 
many  years  been  pleading  for  the  conversion  of  near  and 
dear  relatives,  asked  the  meeting  to  join  him  in  thanks- 
giving for  a  daughter  saved,  a  nephew,  and  several  nieces. 


GLASGOW.  131 

"A  lady  asked  prayer  for  her  own  conversion,  stating, 
'I  Lave  come  from  Switzerland  on  purpose  to  be  present 
at  the  meetings.  I  have  every  reason  to  believe  in  the 
power  of  prayer,  having  been  cured  through  prayer,  at 
a  small  village  in  Switzerland,  after  having  been  danger- 
ously ill  for  thirteen  years.  I  should  be  extremely  sor- 
ry to  leave  Glasgow  without  receiving  what  I  came  for. 
I  have  been  well  brought  up,  but  am  not  a  Christian.' 
A  case  like  this  reminds  us  of  Acts  v.,  16 :  '  Then  came 
a  multitude  out  of  the  cities  round  about,  bringing  their 
sick  folks,  and  them  that  were  vexed  with  unclean  spir- 
its.' 

"And  yet  more,  this  other,  from  a  person  about  twenty 
miles  out  of  town  :  'Dear  Sir, — Would  you  kindly  for- 
ward four  tickets  to  admit  to  the  morning  meeting  on 
Sabbath  first  to  the  City  Hall.  I  have  never  had  the 
pleasure  of  being  present  at  any  of  these  precious  meet- 
ings that  have  been  held  in  Glasgow,  though  a  constant 
reader  of  the  reports  given ;  but  I  will  be  in  Glasgow  on 
Sabbath  first,  along  wTith  three  friends.  Going  in  the 
spirit  of  anxious  inquirers,  we  pray  God  that  it  may  be 
our  blessed  privilege  to  come  home,  having  found  that 
Christ  is  indeed  precious  to  each  of  us.' 

"Another  day  at  noon,  four  young  men,  from  a  mining 
district  in  Ayrshire,  were  found  waiting  at  the  close  of 
the  meeting  to  speak  to  Mr.  Moody,  if  possible.  He  had 
gone  out;  but  they  sat  down  in  the  inquiry  room  with 
one  of  the  ministers  who  was  still  there.  'Are  you  all 
of  one  mind?  are  you  all  in  Christ?'  was  the  question 
put  to  them.  'Three  of  us  are  Christ's,  but  our  friend 
here  (pointing  to  the  fourth)  is  not'  The  minister  en- 
tered into  conversation  with  the  unsaved  but  anxious 


132  THE  WORE  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

one,  and  found  out  his  state  of  mind.  He  showed  him 
that  Christ  was  offering  to  be  his  substitute,  and  to  ap- 
pear in  the  presence  of  God  for  him,  and  asked,  'Will 
you  believe  in  him  as  he  so  offers  himself  to  you?'  In 
a  moment  the  lad's  countenance  changed,  and,  half  spring- 
ing from  his  seat,  he  struck  the  Bible  with  his  hand,  ex- 
claiming, 'I  see  it  all!'  The  scale  had  fallen  from  his 
eyes,  and  he,  with  his  three  friends,  who  had  been  to  him 
like  the  friends  of  the  palsied  man,  left  the  room  to  re- 
turn home  by  the  train  rejoicing. 

"At  the  Young  Men's  meeting  in  Ewing  Place  Chapel 
on  Tuesday  evening,  Mr.  John  Burns,  of  Castle  Wemyss, 
presided,  and  gave  a  most  hearty  address.  He  read 
from  and  held  up  the  character  of  Nehemiah.  'We 
business  men  in  this  great  city  are  exposed  to  many 
temptations,  and  are  often  in  great  perplexity.  Let  us, 
like  Nehemiah,  "  pray  to  the  God  of  heaven."  Speak- 
ing from  experience,  I  can  testify  to  the  value  of  prayer 
in  the  case  of  business  men.  I  have  great  faith  in  prayer, 
silent  and  instant  prayer.  We  have  not  time  during  the 
day,  in  the  midst  of  business,  to  go  to  our  knees;  but  let 
our  hearts  go  up.'  He  was  followed  in  a  few  words  by 
Archdeacon  M'Lean.  As  usual,  a  large  number  of  the 
young  men  waited  for  inquiry.  One  of  themselves,  on 
Wednesday  evening,  spoke  as  follows,  and  his  words 
were  felt  by  all  present:  'I  would  like  to  say  a  word  as 
to  the  power  of  prayer.  Seven  years  ago,  about  a  stone's- 
throw  from  where  we  now  stand,  a  }Toung  sneering  infidel 
retired  to  his  bed  on  a  Sabbath  evening.  About  three 
hours  after,  that  same  youth  rose  and  cried  to  God  to 
have  mercy  on  his  soul.  Some  of  you  may  say,  "  Oh, 
that's  a  story  made  up,  and  far-fetched."     No,  it  is  not. 


GLASGOW.  133 

I  was  that  youth.  When  I  retired  to  bed,  three  of  my 
young  friends  were  assembled  in  another  room,  wrestling 
with  God  for  my  conversion.  I  could  not  sleep.  I  arose 
and  went  in  to  them,  and  asked  them  to  pray  for  my 
soul.  I  found  the  Saviour;  and  blessed  be  his  name,  I 
have  followed  him  ever  since.  My  companions  scoffed, 
and  said  that  it  would  soon  pass  away ;  but  I  have  been 
kept.  I  have  tasted  all  the  pleasures  of  life  in  other 
days,  but  I  am  here  to  testify  that  the  love  of  Jesus  is 
sweeter  than  all.  Young  men,  do  not  be  deceived ;  the 
pleasures  and  the  philosophies  of  this  world  pass  away. 
Take  Christ,  and  he  will  satisfy  the  longing  soul.'  Night 
after  night  there  are  not  only  such  addresses,  and  many 
inquirers,  but  also  many  conversions." 

Dr.  Bonar's  letters,  which  we  regret  we  can  not  give 
in  full,  describe  the  work  from  February  8th,  1874,  to 
March  13th.  The  tide,  which  had  now  risen  in  its  full 
power,  continued  to  flow  on,  bearing  its  blessing  to 
houses  and  shops,  factories  and  ship -yards,  the  man- 
sions of  the  rich  and  the  hovels  of  the  poor,  churches 
and  Sunday-schools,  institutions  of  learning  and  literary 
circles.  The  revival  was,  like  the  air  and  the  sunlight, 
enjoyed  by  all  classes.  In  the  streets  might  be  daily 
seen  crowds  from  the  best  society,  children  in  their  Sun- 
day attire,  young  men  representing  the  various  profes- 
sions, hardy  workmen,  with  anxious  faces,  wending  their 
way  to  the  Crystal  Palace,  or  some  large  church  or  hall, 
drawn  by  curiosity  or  sympathy,  or  by  the  desire  to 
know  what  they  must  do  to  be  saved. 

The  interest  in  the  noon-day  meetings,  the  gatherings 
of  the  children,  and  the  meetings  for  inquirers  continued 
to  be  fully  sustained.     Tidings  of  new  converts  were 


134  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

constantly  brought  to  the  earnest  workers  in  this  won- 
derful vineyard  of  the  Lord.  On  Sunday  morning, 
March  15th,  three  thousand  young  men  assembled  in 
the  City  Hall  to  listen  to  Mr.  Moody's  lecture  on  Daniel. 
At  the  close  of  the  service  Mr.  Sankey  sung  "Daniel's 
Band,"  and  "Hold  the  Fort,"  the  vast  assemblage  join- 
ing in  the  choruses.  The  clear,  strong  voices  of  such  a 
multitude  of  young  men,  and  the  spiritual  atmosphere 
through  which  the  tones  resounded,  gave  to  the  service 
a  marvelous  power. 

Sabbath-evening  meetings  were  begun  in  the  eastern 
district  of  the  city,  and  during  the  week  four  meetings 
were  held  for  young  men  in  different  parts  of  the  city, 
besides  those  for  ministers,  for  parents,  and  for  ordinary 


MEETING   IN  A   BUILDING-YARD. 

On  March  30th  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  were  pres- 
ent at  the  daily  prayer-meeting  in  the  ship-building  yard 
of  Alexander  Stephen  and  Sons,  Linthouse,  Glasgow. 
There  was  a  large  attendance  of  the  working-men,  the 
numbers  being  variously  estimated  from  fifteen  hundred 
to  two  thousand,  and  all  the  partners  of  the  firm  were 
also  present.  All  listened  with  eager  interest  as  Mr. 
Sankey  opened  the  meeting  by  singing  with  great  pathos 
the  well-known  solo,  "Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by." 
Thereafter  Eev.  Kobert  Howie  led  the  prayers  of  the 
meeting,  and  another  solo,  singularly  appropriate,  "  The 
Life-boat,"  was  sung  by  Mr.  Sankey.  Mr.  Moody  then 
delivered  a  most  solemn  and  stirring  address  from  the 
words,  "I  bring  you  glad  tidings  of  great  joy;"  and 
there  seemed  to  be  a  deep  impression  produced,     At  tho 


GLASGOW.  135 

close  he  expressed  the  delight  he  experienced  in  address- 
ing such  an  interesting  audience,  and  intimated  that  ar- 
rangements would  be  made  by  the  Central  Evangelistic 
Committee  for  sending  similar  aid  from  time  to  time,  to 
those  seeking  thus  to  honor  the  Saviour,  and  obtain  bless- 
ings for  themselves  and  others.  Mr.  Stephen,  speaking 
in  the  name  of  both  employers  and  employes,  expressed 
thanks  to  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  for  their  kindness 
in  thus  complying  with  the  request  sent  to  them  last 
week,  and  exhorted  all  present  to  show  their  gratitude 
by  accepting  of  Christ.  The  meeting  was  brought  to  a 
close  by  Mr.  Sankey  singing  the  solo,  "  Prodigal  Child." 

A  praise-meeting  was  held  in  the  City  Hall,  April  5tb, 
and  as  the  prayers  and  songs  of  thanksgiving  ascended, 
the  heavens  seemed  to  touch  the  earth.  Both  worlds  ap- 
peared to  mingle,  and  become  one  of  inexpressible  joy. 

A  large  Church  Convention  was  held  April  16th,  to 
survey  the  doings  of  the  Lord,  and  seek  strength  and 
wisdom  for  the  future.  Never  was  there  a  revival  in 
which  God's  hand  was  more  distinctly  seen  than  in  this. 
Ministers  and  people  recognize  it  to  an  extent  that  gives 
great  encouragement  for  future  work.  They  see  that 
not  only  the  vineyard  is  the  Lord's,  but  the  workmen, 
the  seed,  and  the  rain  and  sunshine  that  bring  forth  the 
harvests,  are  all  his. 

Mr.  Moody's  views  in  regard  to  the  Holy  Spirit  are 
most  valuable,  and  if  adopted  by  Christians  generally 
would  vastly  augment  the  power  of  the  Church.  A 
writer  in  the  British  Evangelist  for  March  16tb,  1874, 
says : 

"We  heard  Mr.  Moody  on  Tuesday  make  several 
important  statements,  which  showed  clearly  where  his 


136  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

great  power  lies.  He  declared  that  he  believed  that  it 
was  wrong  to  be  waiting  for  God  to  do  something  in  or- 
der to  our  being  saved,  for  God  had  both  given  his  Son 
and  given  his  Holy  Spirit;  Christ  had  finished  the  work 
of  making  atonement  for  our  sins;  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
had  come  from  heaven  after  Christ  had  ascended,  and  he 
had  remained  on  earth  for  these  eighteen  hundred  years, 
and  not  gone  back  to  heaven.  We  heard  him  say  in 
substance,  '  I  have  no  sympathy  with  those  who  pray  for 
the  Holy  Ghost  to  come,  as  if  he  had  left  this  earth  and 
gone  back  to  heaven,  and  needed  to  be  sent  or  poured 
out  again  from  heaven  ;  but  I  have  great  sympathy  with 
those  who  pray  that  the  Holy  Spirit  who  has  been  given 
by  God  once  for  all,  and  is  consequently  always  on  the 
earth,  and  does  not  need  to  be  prayed  down  afresh  from 
heaven  every  time  an  awakening  takes  place  or  souls  are 
converted,  should  put  forth  his  gracious  power  in  quick- 
ening dead  souls  and  in  filling  believers,  so  that  sinners 
may  be  saved,  and  saints  may  be  wholly  consecrated  to 
the  Lord's  service.' 

"The  Holy  Ghost  is  just  as  truly  on  this  earth  as  Je- 
sus was  in  the  days  of  his  flesh ;  and  as  it  would  have 
looked  very  strange  to  have  prayed  God  to  send  down 
Christ  from  heaven  when  he  was  walking  among  them 
in  person,  preaching,  teaching,  healing  the  sick,  and  do- 
ing many  mighty  works;  so  equally  unintelligent  would 
it  be  now  to  pray  for  the  Holy  Ghost  to  be  sent  down 
from  heaven,  when  we  read  in  God's  Word  that  he  has 
been  thus  sent,  and  is  in  the  Church,  and  is  giving  such 
unequivocal  tokens  of  his  presence.  None  of  us  ever 
heard  Mr.  Moody  pray  for  the  outpouring  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  as  if  he  were  not  here.     He  prays  most  fervently 


GLASGOW.  137 

for  an  ever-present  Spirit  to  work  mightily,  his  whole 
dependence  being  in  having  the  Holy  Ghost  with  him, 
but  not  to  come  from  heaven,  he  being  now  always  on 
earth  to  glorify  Jesus. 

"  The  Holy  Ghost  was  not  given  when  Christ  was  on 
earth.  This  is  not  theory,  but  Scripture :  '  But  this  he 
spake  of  the  Spirit  which  they  that  believe  on  him  should 
receive ;  for  the  Holy  Ghost  was  not  yet  given  because 
that  Jesus  was  not  yet  glorified'  (John  vii.,  39).  He 
came  at  Pentecost  (Acts  ii.) ;  and  he  is  still  on  the  earth 
(1  Cor.  iii.,  16).  '  What!  know  ye  not  that  your  bod}'  is 
the  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost  which  is  in  you?'  (1  Cor. 
vi,  19). 

"This  is  a  point  of  vital  importance  for  both  saint 
and  sinner,  and  it  is  one  of  Mr.  Moody's  sources  of 
strength  that  he  knows  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  in  every 
place  before  him,  and  nobody  needs  to  wait  for  his  com- 
ing down  from  heaven,  but  to  use  all  right  and  scriptural 
means  to  get  and  keep  in  connection  with  his  life-giving 
presence  and  power.  His  '  Jachin  and  Boaz'  are  a  liv- 
ing Christ  and  a  present  Spirit.  Oh  that  we  all  be- 
lieved as  Scripturally  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  counted 
on  him  being  with  us;  then  we  should  have  power  also! 
The  Holy  Ghost  given,  and  always  present,  gives  con- 
stant strength  to  the  saint  who  leans  upon  him,  and  cuts 
off  all  excuse  from  the  sinner  as  if  he  needed  to  be  wait- 
ing for  the  coming  of  the  Spirit;  for  the  Spirit  abiding 
on  the  earth  is  waiting  on  sinners  to  bless  and  save,  and 
that  when  pressed,  as  Mr.  Moody  does  it,  necessitates  im- 
mediate decision,  and  admits  of  no  delay.  This  great 
fact  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  permanently  on  the  earth  is 
the  sheet-anchor  of  the  Church,  and  should  be  pressed 


138  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

incessantly  that  we  may  have  what  the  Scripture  sanc- 
tions, '  praying  in  the  Holy  Ghost.' 

"Pray  'in  the  Holy  Ghost' — which  can  not  be  done 
unless  we  are  '  in  the  Spirit,'  and  the  Spirit  in  us :  but 
pray  'according  to  the  Scriptures.'  And  we  can  not 
do  so  if  we  are  crying,  '  Oh  that  thou  wouldst  rend  the 
heavens,  that  thou  wouldst  come  down,'  for  he  is  down, 
and  your  body  is  his  temple;  or  if  we  pray  that  the 
windows  of  heaven  may  be  opened  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
sent  down  or  poured  out.  What,  then,  is  Scriptural? 
Only  that  which  acknowledges  the  abiding  presence  of 
the  Comforter,  according  to  Christ's  word,  '  He  shall 
abide  with  you  forever.'  Pray  that  a  present  Spirit  may 
wrork  every  needful  work  as  the  lepers,  the  blind,  the 
halt,  and  lame  prayed  a  present  Jesus  in  the  days  when 
he  was  on  earth,  to  give  healing,  and  received  it. 

"  Let  us  be  living  in  conscious  communion  with  Christ, 
and  in  loving  fellowship  with  the  living  God,  as  those 
who  are  breathing  every  moment  the  Holy  Ghost  as  our 
spiritual  atmosphere,  and  let  us  pray  that  he  would  do 
all  for  us  and  others,  converted  and  unconverted,  that 
the  Holy  Scriptures  tells  us  he  has  come  down  from 
heaven  to  do.  Eeject  the  unbelief  that  looks  upon  him 
as  having  gone  back  to  heaven,  and  cherish  the  faith  that 
recognizes  him  as  here  being  given  to  all  who  believe, 
and  let  us  go  into  contact  with  saints  and  sinners  'minis- 
tering the  Spirit'  like  saints  of  old  (Gal.  iii.),  as  well  as 
ministering  the  Word;  and  if  we  thus  'live  in  the  Spir- 
it' and  'walk  in  the  Spirit,'  we  shall  take  hold  of  people 
in  the  strangely  mysterious  but  all-conquering  power  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  they  will  feel  themselves  moved, 
melted,  and  won  by  us,  as  by  the  priests  of  God  who 
come  forth  from  the  IIolv  of  Holies." 


GLASGOW.  139 

Would  that  those  precious  words  might  sink  deep  into 
the  hearts  of  God's  people!  Why  should  we  not  also 
associate  more  intimately  the  Holy  Spirit  with  spiritual 
songs?  These  songs  are  spiritual,  not  simply  because 
they  express  spiritual  thoughts  and  themes,  but  because 
the  Holy  Spirit  is,  or  is  ready  to  be,  in  the  songs,  mov- 
ing with  the  melody  and  breathing  in  the  music.  In 
this  connection  we  read  with  special  interest,  in  the  Brit- 
ish Evangelist  for  March  30th,  1874,  the  following  ac- 
count of 

MR.  SANKEY'S   MUSIC  AND   SINGING. 

"  No  stranger  who  has  ever  visited  Glasgow  has  been 
privileged  to  sing  to  such  numerous,  crowded,  and  at- 
tentive audiences  as  Mr.  Sankey.  He  has  introduced 
among  us  a  style  of  music  which  to  a  great  extent  is  new 
in  public  worship.  In  Scotland,  our  service  of  praise 
has  been  hitherto  chiefly  confined  to  the  use  of  psalms. 
In  many  of  our  churches  hymns  have  been  used  to  a 
considerable  extent,  and  gradually  this  style  of  music  is 
finding  its  way  among  all  denominations.  Mr.  Sankey 
has  given  us  a  clearer  understanding  of  what  is  meant 
under  the  third  division  of  the  apostle's  classification, 
viz.,  spiritual  songs.  He  literally  '  sings  the  Gospel/ 
just  as  truly  and  not  less  powerfully  than  his  friend  Mr. 
Moody  preaches  it.  This  element  of  solo  singing  in 
public  worship  is  quite  new  to  us  in  Scotland,  and  has 
proved  to  be  so  effective,  so  attractive,  and  has  been  so 
much  blessed  among  us,  that  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  many 
who  are  gifted  with  the  power  of  song  may  take  cour- 
age and  be  induced  to  follow  Mr.  Sankey's  example,  and 
use  this  power  of  song  as  a  new  means  of  bringing  the 


140  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

truths  of  the  Gospel  before  the  masses  of  our  people. 
The  charm  and  power  of  Mr.  Sankey's  singing  are  its 
intense  earnestness,  and  the  clear,  plain,  simple  enuncia- 
tion of  every  word  sung.  It  is  manifest  to  every  one 
that  he  feels  intensely  the  truth  he  is  singing,  and  that 
he  is  determined  that  every  one  shall  hear  it  and  feel 
it  also.  He  comes  with  a  divine  message  to  his  audi- 
ence, and  sets  himself  to  make  it  known  to  every  one 
and  to  be  realized  by  all;  hence  the  deep  impression 
produced  by  his  singing.  What  he  sings  is  nothing  new 
to  us,  but  how  he  sings  is  very  new  indeed.  His  songs 
are  simple.  The  subject  is  the  old,  old  story.  The 
words  are  plain  and  pleasant,  but  nothing  extraordi- 
nary; often  not  to  be  compared  to  those  of  our  well- 
known  psalms  and  hymns.  The  music  is  generally  pret- 
ty and  pleasant,  but  little  more ;  a  small  portion  of  it 
has  any  claim  to  originality.  Much  of  it  is  so  Scottish 
and  Irish  in  its  construction  that  to  our  people,  familiar 
with  such  music,  it  is  sometimes  difficult  to  realize  that 
what  we  hear  is  sacred  song.  Usually  short  turns  and 
strains  remind  us  irresistibly  of  something  we  know,  but 
can  not  recall.  In  some  of  the  melodies  the  effect  is 
more  marked.  Who  does  not  feel  the  sweetness  of  fa- 
miliar Irish  melody  in  'Sweet  By-and-by,' and  the  'Val- 
ley of  Blessing,'  and  the  thorough  Scottish  ring  in  such 
songs  as  '  Hold  the  Fort,'  '  Sweet  Hour  of  Prayer,'  '  The 
Gate  ajar,'  'Here  am  I;  send  me,'  and  many  others. 

"It  takes  us  by  surprise  to  hear  Gospel  truth  wafted 
in  the  strains  of  our  national  music;  but  is  it  not  possi- 
ble that  this  may  be  the  true,  though  unexpected,  reason 
why  these  simple  songs  have  found  such  a  direct  and 
wonderful  entrance  to  the  Scottish  heart?     Mr.  Sankey 


GLASGOW.  141 

has  a  fine,  full,  soft  barytone  voice,  well  trained,  and  over 
which  he  has  complete  mastery — the  organ  he  uses  as  a 
mere  accessory,  though  sometimes  its  help  is  not  bene- 
ficial— for  instance,  in  the  song  'I  am  so  glad,'  the  effect 
of  the  compound  triple-time  is  very  striking,  being  quite 
unknown  to  us  in  church  music,  but  the  organ,  having 
no  accent,  can  not  mark  this  effect,  and  the  first  line  is 
always  heard  in  a  monotonous  staccato  style,  which  un- 
fortunately our  audiences  are  too  ready  to  follow. 

"  When  Mr.  Sankey  sings  clearly  out,  so  as  to  drown 
the  organ,  it  is  all  right;  but  when  our  choirs  and  con- 
gregations are  left  alone  to  sing  this  song,  they  do  so  in 
an  undecided  common-time,  greatly  marring  its  beauty. 
In  the  chorus  the  effect  is  generally  better,  for  the  mark- 
ed accent  of  the  words  helps  to  keep  them  right.  Mr. 
Sankey's  singing  has  not  the  least  pretension  to  be  ar- 
tistic ;  nothing  can  be  more  plain  and  natural.  The  mu- 
sic with  him  is  a  secondary  matter ;  the  words  are  of  the 
first  importance.  He  sings  the  words  and  brings  out 
their  full  meaning  and  expression.  The  music  is  made 
subservient,  and  in  time  and  accent  is  constantly  varied, 
so  as  to  fit  the  words.  What  a  contrast  to  what  we  usu- 
ally hear  in  our  churches !  Our  leaders  and  our  choirs 
do  their  best  to  sing  the  music,  but  too  often  treat  the 
words  as  if  they  were  of  little  or  no  consequence.  We 
do  not  go  to  church  to  hear  music,  but  to  offer  a  service 
of  praise.  Music  is  not  praise,  but  only  the  means  by 
which  praise  is  expressed.  To  the  great  shame  of  our 
churches,  this,  the  chief  end  of  praise,  has  been  almost 
entirely  overlooked.  Let  us  hope  it  has  been  through 
inadvertence ;  and  let  all  interested  in  the  praise  of  the 
sanctuary  learn  the  lessons  which  have  been  taught  to 


142  THE   WORE  OF  GOB  IN  GEE  AT  BRITAIN. 

us  by  our  transatlantic  brethren  —  first  by  the  Jubilee 
Singers,  and  now  by  Mr.  San  key — that  music  is  but  the 
handmaid  of  praise  ;  that  it  is  the  duty  of  our  congrega- 
tions to  do  their  very  utmost  to  perfect  themselves  in  the 
art  of  singing,  so  that  they  may  be  able  to  adorn  with 
new  beauty  the  words  they  sing,  and  to  bring  out  their 
truth  with  proper  expression  and  full  effectiveness  and 
power." 

It  is  our  privilege  to  recognize  the  agency  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  in  every  thing  that  advances  the  cause  of 
Christ.  We  may  see  it  in  prompting  gifted  and  liberal 
men  to  faithfully  report  the  progress  of  the  Lord's  work, 
showing  the  real  elements  that  underlie  it,  and  their  act- 
ual results  not  only  to  the  Christian  world,  but  also  to 
all  men  who  are  susceptible  to  evidence. 

Among  the  numerous  sketches  of  the  revival  in  Glas- 
gow, there  appeared  one  in  the  North  British  Daily  Mail 
that  should  be  read  by  every  skeptic,  formalist,  and 
doubter,  with  the  prayer  (if  he  can  be  induced  to 
pray),  "  Lord,  open  thou  mine  eyes,  that  I  may  see  won- 
drous things  out  of  thy  law." 

We  offer  no  apology  for  the  length  of  the  paper,  as  no 
portion  of  it  should  be  omitted  : 

"During  the  six  days  beginning  with  Tuesday  of  last 
week,  the  suburb  of  Billhead  was  nine  times  flood- 
ed with  crowds  hurrying  to  the  Crystal  Palace.  This 
unique  glass  house  is  the  largest  place  of  public  assembly 
in  Scotland,  and  can  seat  about  four  thousand,  while  a 
thousand  or  two  more  may  be  crowded  into  it.  Tuesday 
evening  was  for  the  young  women.  Hundreds  appealed 
in  vain  for  tickets  after  seven  thousand  five  hundred  had 
been  distributed,  and  hundreds  who  had  them  struggled 

/  DO 


GLASGOW.  143 

in  vain  for  admission.  The  building  was  crowded  up 
to  the  fainting  point,  and  the  meeting  was  partly  spoiled 
by  its  numerical  success.  On  Wednesday  the  young 
men  who  were  ticket-holders  darkened  the  Great  West- 
ern road  more  than  an  hour  before  the  time  of  meeting. 
All  comers  were  welcome  on  Thursday,  so  long  as  there 
was  any  room.  In  spite  of  the  rain  the  Palace  was  fill- 
ed by  seven  o'clock,  and  about  one  half  of  the  audience 
seemed  to  be  young  men  of  the  middle  classes.  On  Fri- 
day the  noon  prayer-meeting  was  transferred  to  the  Pal- 
ace, which  was  comfortably  filled  with  the  better,  or  bet- 
ter-off, classes.  Friday  evening's  meeting  was  the  most 
significant  of  the  series.  Tickets  for  it  were  given  only 
to  those  who,  on  applying  for  them  in  person,  declared 
that  they  believed  themselves  to  have  been  converted 
since  January  1st,  and  gave  their  names,  addresses,  and 
church  connection,  which  information,  we  are  told,  is  to 
be  forwarded  to  their  several  pastors.  It  was  publicly 
stated  that  about  three  thousand  five  hundred  had  re- 
ceived tickets  on  these  conditions.  As  the  Americans  did 
not  arrive  till  six  weeks  after  New  Year's,  and  as  the 
tickets  were  not  exclusively  for  the  frequenters  of  their 
meetings,  it  was  hardly  fair  in  one  of  our  contemporaries 
to  insinuate  that  the  object  was  to  number  and  ticket 
Moody's  converts.  The  children  had  their  turn  on  Sat- 
urday at  noon,  and  the  working- people  at  night.  On 
Sunday  morning  the  young  women  were  admitted  by 
ticket,  and  at  six  o'clock  p.m.  the  Palace  was  filled  both 
inside  and  outside,  as  an  Irishman  would  say.  While 
several  ministers,  along  with  Mr.  Sankey,  conducted  the 
service  inside,  Mr.  Moody  addressed  a  crowd  in  the  open 
air  that  filled  the  whole  space  between  the  Palace  and 


144  THE  WORE  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

the  gate  of  the  Botanic  Gardens.  Many  hundreds  did 
not  even  get  the  length  of  the  garden  gate.  The  esti- 
mates of  the  vast  throng  —  mere  guess-work,  of  course 
— range  from  fifteen  to  thirty  thousand.  A  month  ago, 
in  the  same  place  and  under  the  same  auspices,  an- 
other meeting  was  held  for  six  and  a  half  hours.  We  re- 
fer to  the  '  Christian  Convention,'  which  Dr.  Cairns  de- 
clared to  be  'unparalleled  in  the  history  of  the  Scotch, 
perhaps  of  British,  Christianity.'  It  was  reported  that 
about  five  thousand  were  present,  of  whom  some  two 
thousand  were  ministers  and  office-bearers  from  Scotland 
and  the  North  of  England. 

"Now  these  are  conspicuous  facts,  and  challenge  the 
respectful  attention  and  sympathy  of  all,  whatever  their 
religious  views  may  be,  were  it  on  no  higher  principle 
than  that  of  the  ancient  poet, 'lam  a  man,  and  deem 
nothing  human  uninteresting  to  me.'  Some  have  al- 
ready photographed  the  humorous  side  of  these  religious 
assemblies,  and  proved  what,  we  dare  say,  nobody  will 
deny,  that  some  blemishes  cleave  to  them.  We  are  per- 
suaded, however,  that  many  of  our  readers  will  not  be 
disinclined  to  look  at  the  higher  aspects  of  '  these  won- 
drous gatherings  day  by  day ;'  for  we  are  not  aware  that 
so  many  large  and  representative  meetings  have  been 
drawn  together  in  Glasgow  by  any  cause  or  interest 
whatever  during  the  present  century.  Here  is  a  novel 
addition  to  '  the  May  meetings ' — a  new  General  Assem- 
bly, with  representatives  of  almost  every  class  of  society 
and  every  Protestant  Church  in  the  land. 

"  The  religious  movement,  of  which  these  meetings 
are  the  most  outstanding  manifestation,  dates,  so  far  as 
it  met  the  public  eye  from  '  the  week  of  prayer '  in  the 


GLASGOW.  145 

beginning  of  January.  The  ministers  and  office-bearers 
of  almost  all  the  churches  then  met,  and  formed  a  com- 
mittee to  arrange  for  united  prayer-meetings,  and  also 
for  the  expected  visit  of  the  American  evangelists.  The 
record  of  what  was  going  on  in  the  North  of  England, 
and  especially  in  Edinburgh,  had  previously  inflamed,  as 
well  as  informed,  many  of  the  more  receptive  and  sym- 
pathetic souls.  Tokens  of  growing  interest  had  also  been 
appearing  in  many  quarters;  and  evangelistic  services, 
such  as  those  conducted  by  Mr.  Brownlow  North  and 
others,  had  indicated  that  the  spiritual  thermometer  was 
steadily  rising.  During  the  first  week  of  January  St. 
George's  Church  was  crowded  at  noon,  while  the  over- 
flow was  accommodated  in  Hope  Street  Free  Gaelic 
Church.  After  the  first  fortnight  Wellington  Street 
United  Presbyterian  Church  was  made  the  centre,  where, 
on  an  average,  about  a  thousand  met  daily  for  prayer. 
In  the  second  week  of  February,  Messrs.  Moody  and  San- 
key  began  their  work  among  us;  and  for  the  last  three 
months  they  have  conducted  meetings  every  day,  with  a 
few  exceptions.  The  mind  experiences  a  sense  of  fa- 
tigue in  detailing  their  efforts.  They  certainly  have  not 
spared  themselves.  Here  is  something  like  an  average 
week-day's  work:  twelve  to  one  o'clock,  prayer -meet- 
ing; one  to  two  o'clock,  conversation  with  individuals; 
four  to  five  o'clock,  Bible  lecture,  attended  by  some 
twelve  or  fifteen  hundred;  seven  to  half- past  eight 
o'clock,  evangelistic  meeting,  with  inquiry  meeting  at 
close;  nine  to  ten  o'clock,  young  men's  meeting.  The 
tale  of  some  Sabbath-day's  work  is  even  heavier :  nine  to 
ten  o'clock,  City  Hall ;  eleven  to  half-past  twelve  o'clock, 
a  church  service;  five  to  seven  o'clock,  women's;  seven 

7 


146  THE   WORE  OF  GOD  IN  GEE  AT  BRITAIN. 

to  nine  o'clock,  men's  meetings  in  City  Hall.  Very  few- 
men  possess,  or  at  least  exercise,  such  powers  of  serv- 
ice; though,  in  addition  to  the  aid  from  the  realm  be- 
yond on  which  true  workers  rely,  we  doubt  not  that 
congenial  and  successful  Christian  work  may  sustain  a 
man  beyond  any  other  form  of  human  effort.  Admis- 
sion to  these  meetings  was  usually  by  ticket,  a  necessary 
precaution  against  perilous  overcrowding.  The  anima- 
ted scenes  of  last  wreek  in  the  Botanic  Gardens  prove 
that  the  interest  has  not  waned,  even  after  three  months' 
use  and  wont,  had  worn  off  the  edge  of  novelty. 

"Accepting  this  as  a  genuine  Christian  wTork,  it  may 
be  worth  while  to  fix  attention  on  some  of  its  leading 
characteristics  and  results.  We  would  say  here,  in  pass- 
ing, that  we  can  not  well  understand  why  some  educated 
minds,  without  granting- a  hearing,  condemn  religious  re- 
vivals out-and-out  on  philosophical  grounds.  Viewed 
on  the  human  side,  the  philosophy  of  revivals,  as  they 
term  it,  is  just  a  department  of  the  philosophy  of  history. 
In  no  region  has  progress  been  uniformly  steady  and 
gradual";  but  it  has  been  now  and  then  by  great  strides, 
by  fits  and  starts,  and  such  events  as  the  Germans  call 
epoch-making.  In  all  the  affairs  of  men  there  have  been 
tides  with  full  floods.  Every  channel  along  which  hu- 
man energies  pour  themselves  has  had  its  '  freshets.'  We 
are  all  familiar  with  revivals  in  trade,  science,  literature, 
arts,  and  politics.  Times  of  refreshing  and  visitation  are 
not  much  more  frequent  in  sacred  than  in  secular  history ; 
and  they  indicate  the  most  interesting  and  fruitful  pe- 
riods in  both. 

"To  say  that  the  w^ork  betrays  some  imperfections, 
and  that  there  have  been  many  objectors,  is  only  to  say 


GLASGOW.  147 

what  has  been  justly  said  of  every  great  enterprise,  civil 
and  religious.  But  this  revival  seems  to  be  distinguish- 
ed from  all  previous  revivals  by  the  circumstance  that 
it  has  been  indorsed  by  something  like  the  catholic  con- 
sent of  the  churches.  From  the  outset,  nearly  all  our 
leading  ministers,  and  not  a  few  of  our  foremost  laymen, 
identified  themselves  with  it.  They  sat  and  sung  to- 
gether on  the  pulpit  stairs  and  platform  at  the  daily 
prayer  -  meeting.  A  Highland  member  of  the  Free 
Church  Presbytery  lately  protested  against  some  of  the 
accompaniments;  and  in  a  court  that  numbers  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  members,  there  was  not  one  to  second 
his  lament.  One  of  our  most  conservative  churches — 
the  Eeformed  Presbyterian — gave  its  unanimous  and  cor- 
dial approval  the  other  day  at  its  Synod. 

"The  unfriendly  letter-writers  fall  into  two  classes. 
Some  sign  themselves  clergymen,  and  are  much  exercised 
about  their  clerical  status.  If  any  in  these  days  will 
make  it  their  chief  concern  to  stand  upon  their  official 
dignity,  they  shall  find  by-and-by  that  they  have  not 
much  ground  to  stand  upon.  No  evangelists,  however, 
have  come  among  us  who  have  more  respected  the  po- 
sition and  influence  of  the  ministers.  Mr.  Moody's  first 
statement  at  his  first  meeting  in  the  City  Hall  was,  that 
he  met  with  the  Sabbath-school  teachers  first,  because  he 
knew  that  no  class  would  welcome  him  more  heartily, 
with  the  single  exception  of  the  ministers,  and  that  it 
would  be  presumption  in  him  to  lecture  them.  The 
other  class  of  unfriendly  critics  write  in  the  interest  of 
intellectualism  and  culture  in  its  '  broadest '  sense.  We 
suspect  that  the  'sages,'  whose  profession  is,  as  one  of 
themselves  has  said,  that  they  are  neither  great  sinners 


148  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

nor  great  saints,  are  the  enemies  of  revivals  only  because 
they  are  the  enemies  of  the  things  revived.  Would 
they  object,  for  instance,  to  a  revival  that  gave  body  and 
popular  attractions  to  the  worn-out  ideas  which  they 
commend  as  the  ne  plus  ultra  of  attainable  truth?  At 
all  events,  it  will  not  do  for  them  to  say  that  only  the 
women  and  the  children  have  been  attracted,  for  there 
has  been  nightly  a  most  imposing  muster  of  the  vigorous 
manhood  of  our  city,  and  the  City  Hall  has  been  often 
found  too  small  to  accommodate  the  men  who  flocked  to 
some  of  the  special  services. 

"  Mr.  Moody  is  very  fortunate  in  having  such  a  col- 
league as  Mr.  Sankey.  He  has  enriched  evangelistic 
work  by  something  approaching  the  discovery  of  a  new 
power.  He  spoils  the  Egyptians  of  their  finest  music, 
and  consecrates  it  to  the  service  of  the  tabernacle.  Mu- 
sic in  his  hands  is,  more  than  it  has  yet  been,  the  hand- 
maid of  the  Gospel,  and  the  voice  of  the  heart.  We 
have  seen  many  stirred  and  melted  by  his  singing  be- 
fore a  word  had  been  spoken.  Indeed,  his  singing  is 
just  a  powerful,  distinct,  and  heart-toned  way  of  speak- 
ing, that  seems  often  to  reach  the  heart  by  a  short  cut, 
when  mere  speaking  might  lose  the  road.  Most  people 
admit  that  the  work  has  been  conducted  in  a  very  calm 
and  sober-minded  fashion.  Mr.  Moody  is  credited  with 
a  large  share  of  shrewdness  and  common  sense.  He  has 
not  yielded  to  the  temptations  that  powerfully  assail  his 
class.  He  does  not  give  himself  out  to  be  coddled  and 
petted  by  well-meaning  but  injudicious  admirers.  We 
have  not  noticed  in  him  that  offensive  affectation  of  su- 
perior piety  that  provoked  a  sarcastic  acquaintance  of 
ours  to  say  that  some  revivalists  seemed  to  begin  their 


GLASGOW.  149 

story  as  Yirgil  makes  JEneas  begin  his,  'I  am  the  pious 
iEneas.'  He  keeps  close  to  the  essentials,  and  is  free 
from  such  crotchets  as  often  narrow  the  sphere  and  de- 
stroy the  influence  of  evangelists.  It  is  not  irritation 
but  balm,  that  he  tries  to  bring  to  our  religious  divisions. 
It  must  be  owned  that  a  premium  has  not  been  set  on 
the  hysterical,  the  convulsive,  and  the  sensational  forms 
of  religious  excitement.  The  proverbial  weakness  for 
numbers  has  been  more  apparent  in  some  of  his  sympa- 
thizers than  in  himself.  Nor  does  he  make  himself  re- 
sponsible for  the  reality  of  every  apparent  conversion. 
He  has  set  his  face  sternly  against  the  religious  dissipa- 
tion, in  which  some  of  his  most  indefatigable  hearers  re- 
joice. Novelty-hunters  and  marvel-mongers  have  not 
been  gratified.  Sight-seers  have  been  usually  excluded 
from  the  meetings  for  inquirers,  and  only  '  workers ' 
have  been  admitted.  That  there  has  been  nothing  nec- 
essarily repellant  to  thoughtful  and  educated  people  is 
proved  by  the  number  of  middle-class  young  men  in 
sympathy,  and  by  the  fair  proportion  of  them  at  the 
1  Converts'  Meeting,'  and  also  by  the  crowds  of  genteel 
people  at  the  quiet  afternoon  Bible  lectures.  Though 
he  has  introduced  some  novel  methods,  he  has  stuck  to 
the  simple  old  truths,  and  his  convictions  are  in  entire 
accord  with  Scottish  orthodoxy.  His  straightforward, 
business-like,  slap-dash  style  gives  a  fascinating  air  of  re- 
ality to  all  he  says,  while  his  humor,  capital  hits,  vivid 
and  homely  illustrations,  and  now  and  again  his  dee}) 
feeling,  seldom  fail  to  rivet  the  attention  of  his  hearers. 
He  has  not  a  roundabout  and  far-off  way  of  handling  di- 
vine things,  and  hence  many  accuse  him  of  abruptness, 
brusqueness,  and  undue  familiarity.     The  Christian  life 


150     THE  WOBE  OF  OOD  IX  GEE  AT  BRIT  Am. 

he  commends  is  manly  and  genial,  intense,  and  yet  not 
strained  or  twisted.  These  features  go  far  to  explain 
what  would  be  called  in  America  his  personal  magnet- 
ism. 

"Many  ask,  'But  will  it  last?  What  is  to  come  out 
of  all  this?'  In  Edinburgh,  they  say  that  since  the 
Americans  left  the  impression  has  been  steadily  increas- 
ing, and  that  it  has  entered  influential  spheres  almost  un- 
touched before.  The  summer  scatterings  will  severely 
test  the  reality  of  the.  movement,  but  perhaps  they  may 
also  scatter  a  share  of  the  stimulus  along  both  sides  of 
the  Clyde.  The  avowed  end  from  the  first  has  been 
that  the  ordinary  congregational  channels  might  be 
flushed  and  flooded  with  fresh  energy.  Such  extraordi- 
nary efforts  are  most  successful,  though  their  success  is 
less  apparent  when  they  add  new  power  to  ordinary 
agencies.  If  this  be  the  result,  the  friends  of  the  move- 
ment will  have  no  cause  for  disappointment,  while  its 
enemies  will  point  to  the  absence  of  demonstrative  ac- 
companiments, as  a  proof  that  it  has  entirely  collapsed. 

"  We  may  expect  that  something  will  be  gained  from 
the  experience  of  the.  past  months.  New  methods  of 
conducting  meetings  are  already  finding  favor.  Some 
may  be  in  danger  of  surrendering  hastily  their  individu- 
ality, and  adopting  modes  of  speech  and  action  foreign 
to  them.  We  may  easily  ascribe  too  much  to  the  new 
methods  of  the  American  evangelists.  Their  success  is 
due  largely  to  the  fact  that  they  approached  the  Scottish 
churches  on  the  side  on  which  they  are  weakest.  It 
would  seem  that  Scottish  styles  are  about  as  popular  in 
America,  as  American  styles  have  proved  in  Scotland, 
and  for  the  very  same  reason.     At  the  Evangelical  Al- 


GLASGOW.  151 

lianee  in  New  York,  the  speakers  from  our  country  were 
most  appreciated,  because  they  were  strong  where  Amer- 
icans felt  themselves  to  be  weak.  The  career  of  Dr.  Hall 
in  New  York  is  also  a  notable  case  in  point.  By  all 
means  let  us  have  more  elasticity,  and  a  greater  readi- 
ness to  adopt  and  adapt  whatever  is  serviceable.  But, 
after  all,  new  methods  will  not  help  the  churches  a  great 
deal.  The  surprise  and  force  of  contrast  soon  wear  off; 
and  if  men  go  too  far  for  a  little  in  any  direction,  they 
take  their  revenge  in  abandoning  what  formerly  they 
overpraised.  Age  and  repetition  by-and-by  make  the 
most  skillful  methods  dull  and  conventional.  The  grand 
need  is  far  deeper — an  inward  vitality  that  makes  men 
and  churches  fresh,  vigorous,  and  fruitful.  If,  as  we  are 
told,  multitudes  in  all  the  churches  have  been  recently 
quickened,  new  bottles  should  be  made,  as  well  as  bor- 
rowed, for  the  new  wine. 

"  Some  confidently  expect  a  more  general  co-operation 
of  Christians  than  has  hitherto  prevailed.  Dr.  James 
Hamilton's  quaint  illustration  has  been  so  far  verified. 
When  the  tide  is  out,  each  shrimp  has  a  little  pool  of 
salt  water,  which  is  to  him  all  the  ocean  for  the  time  be- 
ing. But  when  the  rising  ocean  begins  to  lip  over  the 
margin  of  his  lurking-place,  one  pool  joins  another,  their 
various  tenants  meet  and  mingle,  and  soon  they  have 
ocean's  boundless  fields  to  roam  in.  It  will  be  a  pity 
if  an  ebbing  tide  carries  each  back  to  his  little  narrow 
pool. 

"  The  relation  of  this  work  to  the  masses  has  been 
much  discussed.  Those  who  blame  Mr.  Moody  for  not 
working  among  them  should  remember  that  the  tickets 
for  all  the  meetings  were  distributed  by  the  ministers  of 


152  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

each  district,  and  that  in  some  cases  the  n  on -church -go- 
ing had  the  preference.  Kecent  speeches  in  presbyte- 
ries and  synods  show  that  many  are  anxious  to  give  a 
home-mission  direction  to  the  movement.  Quickened 
life  in  presence  of  neglected  multitudes  must  approve  its 
sincerity  by  zealous  mission  work.  We  hear  that  the 
committee  have  already  purchased  a  monster  tent,  capa- 
ble of  holding  two  thousand,  and  that  it  will  soon  be  one 
of  their  chief  rallying-points.  The  young  ladies  of  the 
choir,  who  give  invaluable  aid,  are  likely,  it  is  said,  to 
continue  at  their  post.  This  would  be  a  very  graceful 
and  telling  way  of  bringing  together  the  East  and  West 
Ends.  Hundreds  of  young  ladies  with  splendid  voices 
and  an  expensive  musical  education  might  thus  find  a 
grateful  relief  from  ennui,  and  a  healthful  substitute  for 
other  excitements.  The  work  among  the  masses  gives 
them  a  fine  opportunity  of  gaining  a  recompense  for  all 
the  trouble  and  cost  by  which  they  have  become  gifted 
musicians.  It  will  be  a  new  power  to  them,  and  to  many 
preachers  who  can  appreciate  such  co-operation." 

THE   FAREWELL   MEETINGS  IN   GLASGOW. 

The  interest  of  the  mighty  movement  culminated  in 
the  farewell  meeting,  of  which  we  have  the  following  ac- 
count : 

"  The  last  week  has  been  a  most  impressive  one.  The 
interest  may  be  said  to  have  culminated  in  the  assem- 
blages in  the  Kibble  Palace.  On  Tuesday  evening,  the 
12th  inst.,  a  great  meeting  of  women  took  place  there; 
all  classes  and  ages  were  largely  represented,  and  the 
bearing  of  the  majority  was  most  devout.  Although 
upward  of  five  thousand  were  accommodated  within  the 


GLASGOW.  153 

building,  the  issue  of  tickets  had  been  so  liberal  that 
nearly  two  thousand  more  could  not  gain  admittance, 
and  were  addressed  on  the  green  outside  by  various  cler- 
gymen. Even  among  those  who  could  hear  nothing  the 
greatest  good-humor  prevailed. 

"On  Wednesday  night  upward  of  seven  thousand 
men  managed  to  find  sitting  and  standing  room  within 
the  Palace,  packing  exceedingly  close.  The  vast  assem- 
blage was  most  decorous,  and  obeyed  orders  implicitly. 
The  full,  strong  singing  of  the  hymns  was  a  sound  to  be 
remembered.  Numbers  of  inquirers  gathered  afterward 
in  the  opposite  church,  and  many  could  state  that  there 
was  a  good  result  of  that  night's  work. 

"Admission  to  these  two  meetings  had  been  exclusive- 
ly by  ticket.  On  Thursday  night  the  Palace  was  open  to 
all;  but  soon  the  doors  had  to  be  shut,  leaving  large  num- 
bers outside.  The  meetings  throughout  were  conducted 
in  the  usual  vigorous  style,  Mr.  Moody  being  president, 
and  delivering  pointed  addresses,  clergymen  and  laymen 
relating  their  own  experiences,  and  bringing  forward  in- 
stances and  reports  of  the  work  elsewhere. 

"  On  Friday  evening  came  the  meeting  for  those  who 
professed  to  have  been  converted  during  the  last  few 
months.  The  tickets  for  this  had  only  been  given  to 
those  who  placed  their  names  and  addresses,  and  the 
names  of  their  ministers,  on  a  register,  opened  for  the 
purpose;  and  of  which,  they  were  informed,  extracts 
would  be  forwarded  to  the  clergymen  to  whose  churches 
they  belonged,  thus  to  prevent  thoughtless  application 
for  converts'  tickets,  an  ultimate  check  being  established. 
The  Palace  was  comfortably  filled,  and  the  utmost  order 
prevailed.     In  looking  over  the  assemblage,  it  was  ap- 

7* 


154:  THE  WORK  OF  OOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

parent  that  the  great  proportion  consisted  of  young  peo- 
ple, probably  under  twenty-five  years  of  age.  All  were 
well-dressed,  clear -ej^ed  people,  in  the  ring  of  whose 
voices,  when  singing  the  opening  hymn  of  praise,  more 
than  the  common  sound  was  heard.  It  wras  a  glorious 
sight.  Some,  no  doubt,  may  have  joined  that  throng 
without  due  warrant ;  but  with  such  exceptions,  each  in- 
dividual had  found  his  title  clearly  written  in  the  Word 
of  his  Lord  and  Master.  One  instance  came  within  our 
knowledge  of  two  ladies  wrho,  receiving  tickets  under  a 
misapprehension,  personally  came  to  deliver  them  up. 
This  was  the  more  honorable,  as  many  would  have  en- 
tered by  any  means  in  their  power,  had  the  register  not 
stood  in  the  way.  An  instance,  indeed,  occurred  of  one 
old  lady,  who,  having  made  up  her  mind  to  enter,  would 
take  no  denial,  and  indignantly  gave  the  peculiar  reason 
for  insistence,  that  she  was  well  known  to  the  best  people 
of  the  West  End,  and  to  the  magistrates  of  the  city  and 
county. 

"On  Saturday  came  the  meeting  for  children,  and  in 
the  evening  another  for  grown  people ;  but  the  greatest 
gathering  of  the  week  took  place  on  the  Sabbath,  when, 
after  a  meeting  in  the  morning  for  women  who  had  not 
obtained  admittance  on  the  previous  Tuesday,  the  gates 
were  thrown  open  in  the  afternoon  to  all  comers.  Such 
a  crowd  came  as  had  never  been  seen  in  these  parts  be- 
fore. Many  a  time  during  the  week  the  Great  Western 
road  had  been  darkened  for  an  hour  and  a  half  with  the 
living  stream,  but  that  night  for  three  hours  the  stream 
was  incessant.  Vehicles  were  not  easily  to  be  had  on 
Sunday,  so  nearly  all  came  on  foot — all  classes,  *  gentle 
and  simple,'  young  and  old,  blind  and  lame.     The  Pal- 


GLASGOW.  155 

ace  was  immediately  filled,  but  the  afternoon  sun  was 
so  hot  there  that  soon  the  whole  had  to  turn  out  on  the 
green;  there  a  crowd,  variously  estimated  at  from  twenty 
to  thirty  thousand,  was  soon  gathered.  Some  apprehen- 
sion was  entertained  that  mishaps  might  ensue  inside  or 
outside  the  building;  but  by  the  exercise  of  considerable 
firmness,  and  compliance  with  orders  on  the  part  of  the 
people,  the  danger  was  happily  averted.  Mr.  Moody  ad- 
dressed the  crowd,  standing  on  the  box  of  a  private  car- 
riage, and  by  those  within  comfortable  ear-shot  he  was 
considered  to  have  surpassed  himself  in  earnestness  and 
force.  The  singing  of  the  sweet  hymns  by  such  a  strength 
of  voices,  sounding  upon  that  quiet  sunny  Sabbath  even- 
ing from  amidst  the  fresh  foliage  of  the  gardens,  was 
deeply  impressive.  Such  a  sight,  too,  had  probably  nev- 
er before  been  seen  within  the  limits  of  the  land.  While 
the  main  body  dispersed,  filling  all  the  approaches  and 
the  public  roads,  about  five  thousand  Christians,  and 
those  professedly  anxious  about  their  own  state,  gathered 
inside  the  Palace,  and  for  the  last  time  heard  the  voice 
of  the  man  for  whom  such  an  affection  has  sprung  up  in 
the  hearts  of  many.  The  scene  was  impressive  when  an 
English  speaker,  with  rapid  and  energetic  utterance,  re- 
minded the  assemblage,  many  of  whom  had  the  greatest 
cause  to  thank  God  for  all  he  had  recently  done  for  and 
by  them,  that  that  man  (Mr.  Moody)  ought  to  be  con- 
stantly remembered  in  the  prayers  of  all,  to  whom  he  had 
proved  an  instrument  of  grace.  Many  were  much  moved. 
Mr.  Moody  then  took  a  farewell  of  the  people,  most  of 
whom  he  could  never  hope  to  see  again  in  the  body,  and, 
as  a  final  message,  declared  that  many  Christian  friends 
in  that  place  and  elsewhere  had  agreed  to  unite  in  prayer 


156  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

that  night  for  those  then  gathered  together  who  might 
be  anxious  about  their  own  state,  conscious  they  were 
not  saved.  The  twilight  was  rapidly  deepening  when  he 
asked  those  in  such  a  case  to  rise  to  their  feet  in  sign  of 
their  desire.  The  solemnity  of  feeling  was  indeed  deep, 
when  from  four  to  five  hundred  persons  quietly  rose  all 
over  the  house,  and  as  quietly  resumed  their  places,  actu- 
ated evidently  by  something  outside  their  ordinary  lives. 
"Was  not  that  something  like  the  Spirit  of  God? 
We  shall,  perhaps,  never  know  here;  but  when  from 
among  the  ranks  of  those  who  have  felt  his  power  we 
find  men  and  women  quietly  affirming  to  friends  and 
strangers  the  inner  change  which  has  been  wrought  in 
them,  and  then  going  out  to  work  for  him  ;  when  we  find 
this  wide-spread,  and  representatives  of  all  classes  among 
the  believers,  have  we  any  right  further  to  question  that 
God  has  been  working,  and  will  continue  to  work,  in 
men's  hearts  powerfully?  Be  the  instruments  who  they 
may,  are  they  not  of  God's  choosing?  Some  of  his  own 
servants  may  have  been  kept  from  joining  in  the  work 
of  promoting  the  awakening;  but  now  that  the  first  in- 
struments of  this  general  awakening  have  left  us,  it  must 
be,  it  is,  the  sacred  duty  of  all  the  stated  ministers  in  the 
field  to  take  up  the  work  where  it  now  stands,  and  to 
carry  it  on,  thankful  and  joyful  in  the  fresh  vigor  in- 
fused into  the  spiritual  life  of  many,  and  jealous  only  for 
the  extension  of  the  Master's  kingdom." 


PAISLEY.  157 


IV. 

PAISLEY. 

The  revival  in  Paisley  is  thus  described  in  the  British 
Evangelist: 

"A  friend  in  Paisley  favors  us  with  the  following  in- 
teresting communication :  During  the  past  fortnight 
Paisley  has  been  favored  with  a  visit  from  the  Ameri- 
can evangelists,  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey.  It  was  at 
one  time  feared  by  us  that  they  would  not  be  able  to 
give  us  more  than  two  or  three  days  of  their  valuable 
services;  but,  to  our  great  joy,  they  have  given  us  in  all 
eight  days — six  of  Mr.  Moody,  and  two  of  Mr.  Sankey, 
separately.  Their  appearance  among  us  was  looked  for- 
ward to  with  great  interest  and  high  hopes  of  spiritual 
blessing;  and,  through  God's  great  goodness,  we  have 
not  been  disappointed.  Mr.  Sankey's  singing  drew  vast 
crowds,  and  afforded  a  rich  treat,  alike  to  those  who  look- 
ed merely  to  the  vocal  performance,  and  to  those  who 
valued  also  the  simple  Gospel  truth  which  it  proclaimed 
and  illustrated.  The  Bible  readings  and  evangelistic 
addresses  of  Mr.  Moody  greatly  surpassed,  I  believe,  the 
expectations  of  those  who  had  only  heard  of  him,  or  list- 
ened to  a  few  brief  utterances  at  the  Glasgow  daily 
prayer-meeting.  We  were  not  prepared  to  hear  such 
wonderfully  clear,  pointed,  and  able  expositions  and  ap- 
peals, conveyed  in  singularly  simple  and  nervous  En- 
glish.    Far  less  did  we  expect  such  melting  tenderness 


158        .    THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

and  dramatic  power.  But  his  discourses,  as  a  whole, 
have  the  far  higher  and  rarer  element  of  spiritual  pow- 
er. Under  no  preacher  have  we  seen  such  effects  pro- 
duced. Multitudes  have  been  led  to  realize  and  appre- 
ciate divine  things  as  they  had  never  done  before. 

"We  were  not  wholly  unprepared  for  the  visit  of 
these  brethren.  Hearing  of  the  blessing  that  was  at- 
tending their  labors  in  other  parts  of  our  land,  and  long- 
ing for  a  share  in  that  blessing,  we  had  been  holding 
daily  prayer-meetings,  together  with  various  evangelistic 
meetings,  for  several  weeks  previously.  A  large  pro- 
portion of  the  evangelistic  ministers  in  the  town  took 
part  in  these,  and  evinced  a  growing  spirit  of  love  and 
harmony.  Great  good  was  accomplished  at  these  meet- 
ings. Many  of  God's  people  were  refreshed,  and  some 
careless  persons  were  awakened  and  converted.  Our 
prayers,  we  can  not  doubt,  came  up  for  a  memorial  be- 
fore God. 

"We  thirsted  and  waited  for  increased  droppings  of  the 
heavenly  shower ;  and,  in  connection  with  the  labors  of 
our  American  brethren,  we  rejoice  to  say  God  has  been 
graciously  pleased  to  vouchsafe  these.  Not  a  few  Chris- 
tian people  who  were  walking  in  darkness  have  received 
spiritual  light,  and  are  now  rejoicing  in  the  liberty  of 
God's  children.  And  who  can  doubt  that,  filled  afresh 
by  the  Spirit,  they  will,  under  the  promptings  of  love  to 
Christ  and  compassion  for  souls,  labor  as  they  have  nev- 
er done  before  to  promote  the  glory  of  Christ  in  the  sal- 
vation of  others?  Large  numbers,  too,  have  been  awak- 
ened to  a  sense  of  sin,  and  a  considerable  proportion  of 
these  profess  to  have  received  Christ  as  their  Saviour. 
The  }7oung  have  in  a  special  degree  shared  in  the  bless- 


PAISLEY.  159 

ing.  Every  night,  out  of  the  two  or  three  hundred  that 
staid  at  the  close  of  the  meetings  to  be  conversed  with, 
about  a  third  of  these  were  young  persons  of  both  sexes 
under  twenty.  The  readiness  of  many  of  them  to  re- 
ceive the  truth  was  remarkable.  Some  of  them  had 
their  doubts  and  difficulties,  but  when  the  way  of  life 
was  clearly  set  before  them,  all  at  once,  their  eyes  bright- 
ening up,  they  raised  their  heads  as  if  their  burdens  were 
removed,  and  said  joyously,  'I  see  it  now.' 

"I  can  not  tell  how  many  Christian  parents  have  been 
made  happy  this  last  fortnight  by  the  change  wrought 
in  their  families.  One,  two,  three,  in  this  family  and  in 
that,  seem  to  have  entered  upon  a  new  life.  The  Bi- 
ble is  now  to  them  a  new  book ;  the  novel  is  cast  aside, 
and  some  work  upon  Christian  privilege  and  duty  has 
taken  its  place;  their  temper  and  ways  of  acting  in  their 
homes  and  among  their  companions  are  changing;  the 
alteration  looks  as  like  real  conversion  as  could  be  ex- 
pected; and  may  we  not  hope,  while  prepared  to  hear 
of  some  cases  proving  spurious,  that  many  are  real? 
We  know  that  all  the  blossom  in  spring  does  not  event- 
ually become  fruit,  nor  does  it  all  drop  to  the  ground ; 
much  comes  to  maturity,  and  we  hope  and  pray  that 
much,  very  much,  of  this  tender  spiritual  blossom  will 
ripen  into  rich  fruit,  that  Christ's  Father  may  be  glori- 
fied. The  ministers  that  have  sympathized  most  deeply 
with  this  gracious  work  have  had  their  spirits  cheered 
unspeakably.  Many  have  been  the  sad  hours  they  have 
passed,  bewailing  the  apathy  to  divine  things  in  their 
congregations  and  in  the  general  community.  All  at 
once  they  see  thought  and  inquiry,  a  readiness  to  receive 
counsel  and  instruction,  and  in  many  cases  the  wakening 


160  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

up  out  of  sleep,  and  the  joys  and  activities  of  a  new  life. 
How  cheering  to  every  true  minister  of  Christ!  Would 
to  God  this  blessed  work  may  spread  and  deepen  !  May 
it  be  among  us  and  elsewhere  as  the  wave-sheaf  before 
an  abundant  harvest !  c  I  sent  you  to  reap  that  whereon 
ye  bestowed  no  labor :  other  men  labored,  and  ye  are 
entered  into  their  labors'  (John  iv.,  38)." 

A   SHORT  VISIT   TO   GOUROCK. 

Eeferring  to  Mr.  Moody's  visit  to  Gourock,  an  esteem- 
ed brother  says:  "We  had  largely  attended  evangelistic 
meetings  in  all  the  churches  in  rotation,  the  ministers 
presiding  in  each  other's  churches  in  turn.  On  Sabbath 
last  Mr.  Moody  gave  one  of  his  Bible  lectures  in  the 
Rev.  David  Macrae's  church  in  the  forenoon,  making  a 
deep  impression  on  many.  In  the  evening  Mr.  Macrae 
spoke  on  the  subjects  of  the  revival  and  the  controversy 
started  by  Mr.  Gilfillan.  He  passed  a  eulogium  on  his 
old  friend  such  as  he  deserved,  but  pointed  out  that  his 
letters  were  based  on  ignorance  of  the  men  and  of  the 
facts,  and  involved  a  confusion  of  conversion  with  sanc- 
tification,  and  of  intellectual  with  moral  skepticism." 


GREENOCK.  161 


V. 

GREENOCK. 

Astonishing  results  attended  the  visit  of  Messrs. 
Moody  and  Sankey  to  Greenock.  At  the  usual  midday 
prayer-meeting  the  Town  Hall  was  quite  crowded,  while 
at  the  evening  evangelistic  services  several  churches  had 
to  be  opened  to  accommodate  the  overflow.  At  the  close 
of  all  the  services  numbers  of  anxious  inquirers  remained 
to  be  spoken  to,  and  a  special  corps  of  ministers  was  told 
off  for  this  branch  of  work.  One  night  no  fewer  than 
five  hundred  anxious  ones  remained.  They  were  of  all 
ages  and  both  sexes,  and  the  scene  which  was  presented 
was  affecting  in  the  extreme.  In  a  short  time  many  were 
announcing  that  they  had  found  peace,  and  others  that 
they  had  received  assurance  of  their  conversion.  One 
of  the  more  noteworthy  occasions  on  which  Mr.  Moody 
spoke  in  Greenock  was  a  meeting  for  the  study  of  the 
Bible.  The  audience  consisted  entirely  of  elders,  Sab- 
bath-school teachers,  and  Christian  workers.  Mr.  Moody 
took  for  his  subject,  "Heaven;"  and  in  the  course  of  his 
remarks  said  it  would  be  impious  to  doubt  that  all  things 
were  possible  to  God.  God  could  convert  souls  to  him- 
self in  a  moment;  and,  once  a  man  was  converted,  his 
name  was  written  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life,  and  could 
never  be  effaced.  At  the  same  meeting  it  was  stated  by 
a  gentleman  from  Edinburgh  that  the  work  in  that  city 
was  spreading  to  all  classes,  and  that  special  prayer-meet- 


162  THE   WORE  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

ings  were  then  being  held  by  the  school-boys  of  Edin- 
burgh. On  Sabbath,  12th  inst.,  Messrs.  Moody  and  San- 
key  were  engaged  at  meetings  all  day.  At  nine  in  the 
morning  they  held  a  conference  with  Sabbath -school 
teachers ;  immediately  afterward  the  members  of-^the 
Working  Boys  and  Girls'  Eeligious  Society,  with  their 
teachers,  were  addressed ;  at  eleven  Mr.  Moody  gave  a 
Bible  reading  in  the  Rev.  Mr.  Macrae's  United  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  Greenock;  and  in  the  evening  both  Messrs. 
Moody  and  Sankey  were  present  at  a  meeting  in  the 
Town  Hall. 

A  valued  correspondent  wrote : 

"Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey 's  labors  in  Greenock  have 
excited  an  amount  of  interest  deeper  and  wider  than  any 
similar  services  have  done  in  former  years.  Indeed,  it 
may  be  said  that  no  similar  services  have  ever  been  held 
here.  There  are  a  specialty  and  uniqueness  about  these, 
which  distinguish  them  from  all  preceding  efforts  in  the 
same  direction.  It  is  very  observable  that  it  is  the  reg- 
ular church-going  population  which  has  been  mainly, 
though  not  exclusively,  affected.  The  class  of  anxious 
inquirers  remaining  to  be  personally  dealt  with  after  the 
public  meetings  includes  many  who  have  maintained  a 
Christian  profession — in  some  cases  for  years — but  who 
sorrowfully  admit  that  they  never  till  now  realized  the 
power  of  divine  grace  in  their  souls.  Large  numbers  of 
all  ages  and  attainments  have  professed  anxiety,  of  whom 
the  greater  proportion  belong  to  this  class.  Many  of  the 
younger  members  of  Christian  families  have  been  quick- 
ened to  decision,  and  the  additions  to  the  formal  mem- 
bership of  all  the  churches  are  numerous  in  consequence. 
In  one  or  two  instances  ministers  have  found  among  the 


GREENOCK.  163 

anxious  inquirers  members  of  their  own  flock,  whom 
they  had  regarded  as  well  established  in  Christ.  Sever- 
al very  young  children  have  been  wonderfully  moved; 
and  among  the  Working  Boys  and  Girls'  Keligious  So- 
ciety instances  of  apparent  conversion  are  numerous. 
Ministers  and  members  of  all  denominations  have 
wrought,  on  the  whole,  harmoniously ;  but  it  is  to  be  re- 
gretted that  here  and  there  a  spirit  of  exclusiveness  has 
shown  itself  where  it  could  hardly  have  been  expected, 
and  which,  if  it  were  encouraged,  would  do  much  to  hin- 
der the  work,  if  not  to  arrest  it  altogether." 


161  THE  WORK  OF  £0D  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 


VI 

RETURN  TO  EDINBURGH. 

In  May,  1874,  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  returned  to 
Edinburgh,  and  remained  only  three  days;  but  they 
were  days  fruitful  in  immediate  results,  and  in  sugges- 
tions and  reported  facts  of  vital  importance  to  the  whole 
Church. 

At  one  meeting  interesting  statements  were  made  by 
several  eminent  clergymen. 

Eev.  Mr.  Mair,  of  Morningside,  said  he  had  been  fif- 
teen years  a  minister,  and  he  had  to  praise  God  that  this 
past  blessed  winter  and  spring  had  been  the  best  time  in 
the  course  of  his  ministry.  If  he  had  had  a  thousand 
pounds  given  him  for  his  missions  and  church-work,  he 
would  have  thanked  the  donor,  and  thought  much  of 
the  gift;  how  much  more  thankful  should  we  be  to  God, 
who  had,  week  after  week,  been  giving  precious  souls ! 
Last  communion  was  a  time  when  the  new  power  was 
experienced,  when  from  sixty  to  one  hundred  were  add- 
ed to  the  Church.  It  was  a  real  communion,  for  souls 
were  feeling  really  joined  to  the  Lord. 

A  minister  from  the  country  gave  thanks  for  blessing 
to  himself  and  the  district  where  he  labored.  He  said 
we  had  no  idea  of  the  depth  and  extent  of  the  work  in 
the  country. 

Eev.  John  Duke,  of  Dundee,  thanked  God  for  a  plen- 
teous rain  in  Dundee  in  connection  with  the  visit  of  the 


RETURN  TO  EDINBURGH.  165 

American  brethren.  About  four  hundred  had  been  con- 
verted, and  they  were  going  on  well.  They  were  work- 
ing also  in  giving  tracts,  teaching  in  Sunday-schools, 
helping  evangelists  by  singing  in  the  streets.  He  had 
a  young  communicants'  class,  the  like  of  which  he  had 
not  had  for  six  years. 

Kev.  John  Morgan  praised  the  Lord  for  his  own  con- 
version;  for  putting  him  into  the  ministry  in  times  like 
these,  and  in  circumstances  so  favorable  for  success.  Dur- 
ing the  eight  years  of  his  ministry,  he  had  admitted  two 
thousand  five  hundred  to  the  fellowship  of  the  Church. 
And  more  especially  would  he  praise  God  for  the  priv- 
ilege of  being  in  the  blessed  work  in  this  city  last  win- 
ter and  spring. 

Eev.  John  Kelrnan  praised  God  for  many  blessings. 
He  mentioned  one  cause  for  praise — that  there  had  been 
such  good  weather  during  the  visit  of  their  American 
brethren  to  Edinburgh:  only  four  days  had  been  foul. 

Rev.  James  Robertson,  of  Newington,  said  they  had 
truly  been  getting  of  late  into  the  rapids  of  the  stream 
that  makes  glad  the  city  of  God.  Often  in  early  days 
he  had,  after  awakening  sermons,  watched  for  his  minis- 
ter at  the  corners  of  the  streets,  eagerly  wishing  for  some 
opportunity  of  speaking  with  him.  He  believed  there 
were  many  such  in  all  congregations,  their  hearts  long- 
ing even  to  bursting  with  concern  about  salvation.  It 
would  be  to  such  like  cold  water  to  the  thirsty,  to  have 
special  invitations  every  Sabbath-day  to  meet  with  their 
minister  alone.  On  a  Monday  morning  he  had  been  vis- 
iting a  dying  father  in  the  ministry,  who  asked,  "What 
were  you  preaching  on  yesterday?"  "I  preached  a 
whole   sermon    to   the   unconverted."     "Oh,"  said   he, 


166  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

"preach  many,  many  whole  sermons  to  the  unconvert- 
ed. I  would  often  do  that  if  I  had  my  work  to  begin 
again.  We  are  far  too  ready  to  take  for  granted  that  peo- 
ple know  the  way  to  be  saved."  In  his  last  moments, 
another  saint  was  heard  whispering,  "  Bring,  bring." 
One  article  was  brought  after  another,  but  the  waving  of 
his  hand  showed  that  none  of  them  was  what  he  meant. 
Then  at  length,  with  a  great  effort,  he  uttered, 

"Bring  forth  the  royal  diadem, 
And  crown  him  Lord  of  all." 

Mr.  Sankey  then  sung  a  hymn  of  the  lost  sheep  found, 
and  the  meeting  was  closed  with  the  doxology. 

EARNEST  APPEAL  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 

While  the  congregation  awaited  the  arrival  of  Messrs. 
Moody  and  Sankey,  devotional  exercises  were  conducted 
by  several  of  the  ministers  of  the  city.  Mr.  Moody,  on 
entering  the  hall,  reminded  the  meeting  that,  when  he 
left  Edinburgh  two  months  ago,  he  requested  the  prayers 
of  the  converts  here  that  a  blessing  might  rest  on  the 
work  they  were  going  to  engage  in  at  Dundee,  Glasgow, 
and  other  towns;  and  as  these  prayers  had  been  abun- 
dantly answered,  he  asked  them  to  join  with  him  in 
thanksgiving.  Thanks  for  this  were  accordingly  offered 
up,  and  a  hymn,  "He  leads  us,"  having  been  sung,  Mr. 
Moody  delivered  an  address  on  the  words  of  encourage- 
ment frequently  found  in  the  Scriptures  addressed  to 
God's  people,  "  Fear  not."  The  lecture  was  enforced  by 
frequent  reference  to  the  Scriptures.  The  impression  was 
also  deepened  by  hymns  sung  bv  Mr.  Sankey. 

At  the   close,  Dr.  Andrew  Thomson,  the   Moderator 


RETURN  TO  EDINBURGH.         ^  1(37 

of  the  United  Presbyterian  Synod,  made  an  earnest  ap- 
peal in  the  name  of  the  churches,  the  missionary  societies, 
and  the  perishing  heathen,  to  the  young  men  present  to 
recruit  the  ranks  of  the  ministry  at  home  and  abroad. 
They  would  never,  he  said,  rue  the  day  they  laid  them- 
selves on  Christ's  altar.  He  spoke  to  them  in  the  name 
of  ministers  of  every  denomination  seated  round  the 
platform,  and  also  in  the  name  of  the  honored  evangelist 
who  presided.  They  had  found  it,  he  assured  the  meet- 
ing, a  blessed  thing  to  preach  the  Gospel.  None  of 
them  would  like  to  change  places  with  a  king,  a  peer,  or 
a  judge  on  the  bench,  or  to  give  up  their  ministry  for  all 
the  world.  No  true  convert,  who  had  ever  put  his  hand 
to  the  plow,  had^  desired  to  look  back.  Theirs  was  the 
noblest,  the  happiest,  the  most  blessed  life  that  a  man 
could  spend  on  earth. 

Mr.  Moody  advocated  the  adoption  of  a  shorter  course 
of  study  for  young  converts  who  were  willing  to  devote 
themselves  to  evangelistic  and  missionary  labor.  He  be- 
lieved hundreds  and  thousands  of  young  men  and  wom- 
en in  America  and  this  country  would  come  forward  to 
work  for  the  Lord,  if  they  were  not  kept  back  by  the 
eight  or  ten  years  of  study  required.  It  was  intimated 
that  all  the  young  men  disposed  to  respond  to  the  ap- 
peal made  by  Dr.  Thomson  should,  after  time  for  prayer 
and  consideration,  have  an  opportunity  next  Monday 
evening  of  offering  themselves  for  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry or  of  missions. 

Wednesday,  May  20th. — The  daily  prayer-meeting  was 
densely  crowded  to-day.  The  body  of  the  hall  was  re- 
served for  ministers  till  eleven  o'clock,  but  the  most  of 
those  who  had  been  in  town  had  left,  and  others  had 


168  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

not  come,  for  very  few  appeared ;  and  it  was  marvel- 
ous with  what  a  rush  the  body  of  the  hall  was  taken 
possession  of  at  eleven  o'clock,  when  the  people  who 
were  waiting  outside  were  allowed  to  come  in.  "Safe  in 
the  arms  of  Jesus  "  was  sung ;  and  Mr.  Moody  called  the 
attention  of  the  people  to  Psalms  xxii.,  xxiii.,  xxiv., 
reading  portions  of  them. 

This  meeting  ended  at  one  o'clock,  many  of  the  audi- 
ence ha\ing  been  in  the  hall  since  about  ten  o'clock; 
and  they  seemed  to  adjourn  nearly  en  masse,  and  take 
possession  of  Free  St.  Luke's,  where  Mr.  Moody  was  an- 
nounced to  lecture  at  three  o'clock ;  for  before  two  o'clock 
that  large  church  was  crowded,  even  to  the  third  gallery, 
with  an  audience  of  not  much  fewer  than  two  thousand. 
The  singing  of  favorite  hymns  went  on  for  an  hour,  then 
Mr.  Sankey  sung  the  following  hymn  as  a  solo: 

Nothing  but  leaves !     The  Spirit  grieves 

Over  a  wasted  life ; 
O'er  sins  indulged  while  conscience  slept, 
O'er  vows  and  promises  unkept : 

And  reaps  from  years  of  strife — 
Nothing  but  leaves !     Nothing  but  leaves ! 

Nothing  but  leaves!     No  gathered  sheaves 

Of  life's  fair  ripening  grain  : 
We  sow  our  seeds ;  lo,  tares  and  weeds, 
Words,  idle  words  for  earnest  deeds, 

We  reap  with  toil  and  pain — 
Nothing  but  leaves !     Nothing  but  leaves ! 

Nothing  but  leaves !     Sad  memory  weaves 

No  veil  to  hide  the  past : 
And  as  we  trace  our  weary  way, 
Counting  each  lost  and  misspent  day 

Sadly  we  find  at  last — 
Nothing  but  leaves!     Nothing  but  leaves! 


RETURN  TO  EDINBURGH.  169 

Ah,  who  shall  thus  the  Master  meet, 

Bearing  but  withered  leaves  ? 
Ah,  who  shall  at  the  Saviour's  feet, 
Before  the  awful  judgment-seat, 

Lay  down  for  golden  sheaves, 
Nothing  but  leaves  ?    Nothing  but  leaves ! 

THE   PRAISE   MEETING. 

The  Assembly  Hall  was  taken  possession  of  as  soon 
as  the  doors  were  opened,  and  hundreds  were  disappoint- 
ed of  getting  in,  and  were  addressed  in  the  College  Quad- 
rangle and  the  Free  High  Church.  We  do  not  think 
we  have  ever  seen  the  Free  Assembly  Hall  so  densely 
crowded.  The  meeting,  which  was  a  short  one,  was  com- 
menced by  Mr.  Moody,  reading  portions  of  the  last  few 
Psalms,  from  cxlv.  to  cl.,  and  giving  brief  and  appropri- 
ate comments.  He  also  read  2  Chron.  v. ;  Ezek.  v.,  11 ; 
2  Chron.  xx.,21 ;  Acts  xvi.,  25;  Jer.xv.,  9. 

Dr.  Bonar  quoted  1  Peter  i.,  3,  "  Blessed  be  the  God 
and  Father,"  etc.  He  said  that  the  very  essence  of  praise 
was,  as  the  word  blessed  literally  meant,  speaking  well  of 
God ;  and  the  best  way  to  praise  him  was  to  speak  well 
of  Christ,  to  testify  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  God. 

Eev.  Eobert  Howie,  of  Glasgow,  then  addressed  the 
meeting,  and  showed  that  we  have  to  praise  God  for 
what  he  has  given,  and  for  what  he  is ;  but  that  it  is  a 
higher  thing  to  praise  God  for  what  he  is  than  for  his 
gifts ;  and  if  we  saw  more  of  God  we  should  praise  him 
more.  If  I  may  be  permitted  to  speak  in  the  name  of 
my  brethren,  I  would  say  we  owe  more  to  God  than  you 
do  here.  We  rejoiced  to  hear  of  the  work  here,  and 
longed  that  we  might  have  similar  blessings,  but  we  have 
had  more  than  we  could  have  thought  of.     There  were 

8 


170  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

three  thousand  five  hundred  converts  at  the  farewell 
meeting,  but  that  does  not  represent  above  one-third  of 
those  we  know  have  been  converted.  On  the  last  Sab- 
bath about  twenty  thousand  assembled,  and  were  ad- 
dressed in  the  open  air,  and  four  or  five  thousand  went 
into  the  Crystal  Palace,  and  about  two  thousand  of  them 
rose  up,  asking  to  be  prayed  for — seeking  the  Saviour. 
I  have  to  give  special  thanks — first,  for  a  praying  moth- 
er; then  my  own  conversion,  and  for  being  in  the  min- 
istry in  times  like  these.  We  have  had  a  great  work  of 
grace.  There  have  been  great  meetings  in  ship-building 
yards,  containing  thousands  of  men.  Messrs.  Moody  and 
Sankey  went  and  had  a  meeting,  and  one  thousand  men 
came.  We  believe  that  ten  thousand  have  been  convert- 
ed in  Glasgow  since  the  year  began ;  but  what  are  these 
among  so  many,  when  our  population  consists  of  six 
hundred  thousand?  There  was  one  remark  Mr. Moody 
made — that  he  never  allowed  a  day  to  pass  without  speak- 
ing to  some  one  about  the  soul's  salvation.  If  each  one 
of  the  thousands  of  saved  ones  would  do  this,  how  many 
would  be  saved!  Let  this  be  the  continual  expression 
of  our  praise. 

GREAT  FAREWELL  MEETING  IN  THE  QUEEN'S  PARK. 

On  Thursday,  21st,  at  five  o'clock,  a  great  gathering 
assembled  in  a  natural  amphitheatre  on  the  way  to  St. 
Anthony's  Well,  in  the  Queen's  Park,  to  hear  the  fare- 
well singing  of  Mr.  Sankey  and  the  preaching  of  Mr. 
Moodjr.  It  was  the  largest  open-air  meeting  we  have 
ever  seen  convened  to  hear  the  Gospel.  We  took  pains 
to  get  a  fair  estimate  of  the  number  present,  and  we  came 
to  the  conclusion  that  there  were  between  ten  and  eleven 


RETURN  TO  EDINBURGH.  171 

thousand.  We  trust  that  the  Word  was  with  power  to 
many,  for  the  preacher  spoke  plainly,  earnestly,  and  faith- 
fully, and  gave  an  A  B  C  Gospel,  so  that  all  might  un- 
derstand. It  was  a  solemn  time.  There  was  a  mass  of 
men,  and  women,  and  children,  many  of  them  unsaved, 
and  needing  to  hear  words  of  salvation,  and  they  heard 
them. 

It  was  an  impressive  sight  to  see  masses  of  human 
beings  hanging  or  sitting  on  the  shelves,  and  to  all  ap- 
pearance on  the  clefts  of  the  rocks  behind  the  preacher, 
for  it  reminded  us  of  the  time  when  men  and  women  will 
be  crying  to  the  rocks  to  fall  on  them,  and  cover  them 
from  the  face  of  him  who  sitteth  on  the  throne,  and  from 
the  wrath  of  the  Lamb  ;  and  the  blessed  contrast  made 
us  glad,  for  here  was  one  standing  on  the  rock  beseech- 
ing sinners  in  Christ's  stead  to  be  reconciled  to  God.  It 
was  the  day  of  grace,  and  not  the  day  of  wrath  ! 

It  was  said  in  a  newspaper  that  Messrs.  Moody  and 
Sankey  were  hustled  and  mobbed  at  the  close  by  ill-be- 
haved people.  This  may  have  been,  but  we  did  not  see 
it :  it  appeared  to  us  rather  that  those  who  pressed  upon 
Mr.  Moody  were  loving  friends  wishing  to  bid  him  fare- 
well, and  he  had  to  flee  from  them,  which  he  did,  and 
escaped  to  the  carriage  waiting  on  the  Queen's  Drive 
below,  pursued  by  hundreds,  all  anxious  to  shake  hands 
with  him.  Mr.  Sankey,  in  following,  had  equal  difficulty 
in  getting  away  from  the  thousands  that  wished  to  have 
a  last  shake  of  his  hand.  The  crowd  of  appreciating 
persons  whom  he  saw  at  the  side  of  the  carriage  were 
eager,  loving  friends,  and  we  saw  none  of  the  other  sort. 
There  never  was  such  a  scene  witnessed  in  Edinburgh, 
or  anywhere  else,  so  far  as  we  have  ever  heard. 


172  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

INFLUENCE    OF  THE    REVIVAL    ON    UNION. 

The  minds  of  the  ministers  of  Scotland  were  occupied 
for  ten  years  with  a  project  for  the  union  of  the  church- 
es. An  outsider  could  see  no  sufficient  reason  why  the 
non-established  churches  there  should  remain  apart  when 
they  were  as  one  in  doctrine,  polity,  and  worship ;  but 
after  spending  ten  years  of  precious  time  in  trying  to 
have  a  union  consummated,  they  failed,  and  negotiations 
for  it  were  finally  broken  off.  All  this  time,  their  minds 
being  so  full  of  this  union  work,  and  of  the  controversies 
in  connection  with  the  prosecution  of  it,  their  proper 
work  of  seeking  the  salvation  of  the  lost,  and  the  growth 
in  grace  of  the  saved,  had  not  been  carried  forward  so 
vigorously  as  it  might  and  should  have  been.  The  sav- 
ing of  sinners  had  nearly  come  to  a  stand-still ;  and 
many  were  feeling  the  burden  of  souls,  and  imploring 
the  Lord  to  send  a  spirit  of  awakening  and  revival,  when 
Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  came  to  Edinburgh,  and  the 
blessing  of  God  seemed  to  come  with  them,  and  to  dif- 
fuse itself  over  the  city  and  the  country  at  large.  We 
know  that  it  was  immediate,  for  it  came  into  our  own 
family  the  first  night  that  Mr.  Moody  preached ;  and 
that  it  has  continued  and  increased  in  power  and  vol- 
ume, the  late  farewell  meetings  in  Glasgow  and  Edin- 
burgh attest.  The  soil  is  now  productive,  and  a  breath 
of  spring-tide  freshness  is  in  the  air.  Sinners  in  great 
numbers  are  coming  to  Christ,  and  associating  with  his 
people. 

And  the  Lord  himself  has  done  this  great  work.  Who 
would  ever  have  framed  such  a  prayer  as  this,  and  pre- 
sented it  at  the  throne  of  grace :  "  0  Lord,  in  thy  great 


RETURN  TO  EDINBURGH.  173 

mercy  send  the  two  laymen,  called  Moody  and  Sankey, 
from  the  city  of  Chicago,  to  be  the  instruments  in  the 
revival  of  thy  work  in  the  cities  of  Edinburgh  and  Glas- 
gow, and  throughout  Scotland?"  Any  person  who 
would  have  dared  to  pray  in  that  fashion  a  }^ear  ago 
would  have  been  deemed  a  lunatic;  for  who  had  heard 
of  such  men?  And  yet  they  are  the  men  God  has  chief- 
ly employed  to  accomplish  the  great  work  in  which  we 
this  day  rejoice.  We  were  very  much  struck  one  day 
at  hearing  a  Free  Church  minister  thanking  God  public- 
ly that  he  had  sent  those  honored  evangelists  to  do  the 
great  work  they  were  doing,  and  thereby  rebuke  and 
humble  ministers  for  not  having  put  themselves  into  his 
hands  to  be  used  by  him  in  doing  that  work,  but  that 
strangers  should  have  to  be  sent  by  him  to  do  it.  And 
the  union  has  come,  too,  in  a  higher  way  by  the  power 
of  the  Spirit.  But  since  this  was  written  the  Moderator 
of  the  Free  Church  Assembly  has  delivered  his  opening 
address,  and  he  has  struck  the  right  key-note.  Let  us 
read  what  he  has  said,  thank  God,  and  take  courage.  He 
spoke  as  follows : 

"When  differences  of  opinion  and  divisions  arise 
among  those  who  are  honestly  and  earnestly  seeking  the 
good  of  his  Church,  the  Great  Head,  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  often  heals  these  divisions  in  a  way  they  dream 
not  of,  and  discovers  '  a  more  excellent  way '  for  bring- 
ing about  the  end  all  have  in  view,  viz.,  his  glory. 

"  We  have  had  a  very  remarkable  example  of  this  in 
connection  with  our  late  troubles.  At  the  very  time  when 
the  proposal  of  an  incorporating  union  with  brethren  of 
other  churches  seemed  to  be  relegated  to  a  far- distant 
future — when  an  answer  to  the  many  prayers  that  '  we 


174  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

all  might  be  one,  even  as  the  Father  and  Son  are  one/ 
seemed  to  be  withheld — when  pseudo-philosophers,  with 
profane  levity,  were  proposing  a  prayer-gange,  to  test 
the  efficacy  of  prayer — the  Lord  manifested  himself  as  a 
faithful  and  jealous  God,  jealous  for  his  own  glory  and 
faithful  to  his  promises,  as  the  hearer  and  answerer  of 
prayer,  by  pouring  out  a  blessed  and  copious  effusion  of 
his  Holy  Spirit  upon  our  land,  whereby  many  have  been 
converted  and  saved,  and  a  deep  and  most  solemn  im- 
pression has  been  produced  upon  the  minds  of  men  of 
all  ranks  and  decrees.  The  result  of  this  blessed  visita- 
tion  has  been  the  healing  of  breaches  among  beloved 
brethren,  and  the  producing  such  union  of  heart  and  co- 
operation among  the  godly  and  earnest-minded  laborers  in 
all  our  churches  as  warrant  the  hope  of  union  on  a  broad- 
er basis  than  we  had  dreamed  of,  when  '  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  shall  lift  up  a  standard'  against  popery  and  infi- 
delity, 'coming  in  like  a  flood,'  or  when  in  some  other 
way  'God's  set  time  to  favor  you'  shall  arrive.  He  has 
promised  that  his  people  l  shall  see  eye  to  eye  when  he 
turns  again  the  captivity  of  his  Zion,'  and  meantime,  'in 
brotherly  love  preferring  one  another,'  let  us  watch  and 
pray  for  it,  'more  than  they  that  watch  for  the  morning.' 
"  Permit  me  to  say,  as  a  comparative  stranger,  that  of 
all  the  business  transacted  b}^  the  last  General  Assembly, 
that  which  affected  and  refreshed  me  most  was  the  con- 
ferences regarding  the  state  of  religion  throughout  the 
country  in  general — the  manifestations  of  spiritual  life 
in  the  various  congregations  under  your  charge,  and  the 
measures  adopted  or  recommended  for  overtaking  the 
spiritual  destitution  still,  alas  !  too  prevalent  throughout 
the  land.     It  was  a  disappointment  that  more  time  could 


RETURN  TO  EDINBURGH.  175 

not  then  be  spared  for  the  consideration  of  subjects  of 
such  permanent  interest,  but  I  trust  this  year  they  may 
occupy  both  more  time  and  a  more  prominent  place  in 
our  deliberations. 

"  It  has  pleased  God  to  make  use  of  two  strangers  from 
the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic  as  the  instruments  through 
whom  the  spiritual  awakening  which  has  gladdened,  and 
still  is  gladdening,  many  parts  of  Scotland,  broke  forth ; 
and  readily  and  heartily,  I  am  sure,  we  are  ready  to  ren- 
der all  clue  honor  to  beloved  brethren  whom  the  Lord 
himself  has  honored;  but,  at  the  same  time,  we  must  not 
lose  sight  of  the  fact,  that  by  these  conferences  in  our  as- 
semblies on  the  state  of  religion,  by  the  deputations  sent 
down  to  visit  the  various  Presbyteries  with  the  same  ob- 
ject in  view,  and  by  increasing  prayer  and  spiritual  ef- 
fort on  the  part  of  ministers,  elders,  deacons,  and  other 
godly  laymen,  the  ground  had  already  been  prepared, 
the  good  seed  had  been  copiously  sown,  and  all  that  was 
wanting  was  that '  God  should  give  the  increase.'  Bless- 
ed be  the  Lord  our  God,  for  he  hath  given  the  increase, 
and  many  of  you,  beloved  brethren,  who  for  many  a  year 
'went  forth  weeping,  bearing  your  precious  seed,  have 
at  last  returned  rejoicing,  bringing  your  sheaves  with 
you.'  " 


176  THE  WORE  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 


VII. 

PERTH,  ABERDEEN,  AND  FORFARSHIRE. 
PERTH. 

After  visiting  Dumbarton,  a  thriving  ship-building 
town  ;  Kilmarnock,  where  many  from  neighboring  towns 
and  parishes  were  drawn  together;  Saltcoats,  where 
densely  crowded  meetings  were  held;  and  Irvine  and 
Ayr,  our  dear  brethren,  never  "  weary  in  well  doing," 
proceeded  to  Perth  the  last  of  May,  remaining  until  the 
7th  of  June.     We  have  the  following  from  a  writer  there: 

"  Mr.  Moody  has  held  the  usual  course  of  meetings 
every  day  —  noonday  meeting  in  the  City  Hall,  Bible- 
reading  in  the  Free  West  Church,  and  evening  meeting 
in  the  North  United  Presbyterian  Church.  The  number 
of  inquirers  has  been  very  great,  and  many,  very  many, 
have  found  peace.  It  has  been  a  quiet,  strong  tide  of 
blessing;  it  is  as  if  God  had  sent  his  servants  to  unlock 
the  flood-gates  of  his  grace,  and  the  water  of  life  has 
swept  out  in  deep  and  steady  currents,  leaving  no  place 
for  the  breaking  waves  of  excitement  and  mere  feeling. 
Especially  is  this  to  be  noticed  in  the  Bible-readings, 
when  from  day  to  day  the  large  church  in  which  Mr. 
Moody  lectures  is  crowded  with  people  reverently  and 
simply  studying  God's  Word. 

"  Besides  the  above  meetings,  there  has  been  an  over- 
flowing meeting  in  the  City  Hall  each  night,  at  which 


PERTH,  ABERDEEN;  AND  FORFARSHIRE.  177. 

many  have  been  blessed.  And  in  the  Free  West  Church 
there  is  a  meeting  for  children.  There  is  an  inquiry- 
meeting  after,  from  which  many  little  ones  go  out  trust- 
ing intelligently  and  heartily  in  Jesus,  and  eager  to  bring 
others  to  him." 

Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  remained  at  Perth  until 
the  7th  of  June,  where  on  the  evening  of  that  day  Mr. 
Moody  preached  to  a  congregation  of  not  less  than  seven 
thousand  souls.  The  following  Tuesday  the  evangelists 
paid  another  visit  to  Dundee,  of  which  we  have  already 
given  an  account. 

ABERDEEN. 

Here  the  work  was  commenced  on  Sabbath,  June 
14th,  with  a  nine  o'clock  meeting  for  Christian  workers, 
admission  by  ticket.  There  were  three  thousand  issued, 
and  the  Music  Hall  was  filled.  The  meeting  was  a  most 
solemn  one,  and  the  audience  most  attentive. 

The  evening  meeting,  at  5  P.M.,  was  on  the  Links,  in 
the  natural  amphitheatre  of  the  Broadhill,  where  a  plat- 
form had  been  erected  for  choir  and  speakers.  One  may 
be  allowed  to  say  that  the  town  was  moved  to  come,  and 
see,  and  hear.  Some  ten  thousand  were  in  position  be- 
fore and  around  the  platform  long  before  the  hour  of 
meeting ;  and  yet  from  before  five  till  past  six  there  were 
continuous  streams  of  men,  women,  and  children  from 
the  city,  Footdee,  Woodside,  Old  Aberdeen,  and  as  far  as 
Dyce,  flowing  to  the  one  point  on  the  Broadhill.  There 
could  not  have  been  fewer  than  twenty  to  twenty-two 
thousand  on  the  Links  that  evening.  Mr.  Moody  spoke 
from  the  words,  "The  wages  of  sin  is  death,"  and  was 
listened  to  with  rapt  attention,  while  the  hymns  were  dis- 

a* 


178  THE  WOKE  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

tinctly  heard  over  the  vast  crowds  in  the  stillness  of  a 
quiet  summer  evening. 

The  next  meeting  was  announced  for  eight,  in  the 
Music  Hall,  but,  it  being  rilled  before  seven,  Mr.  Moody 
began  at  that  hour,  speaking  on  the  subject  of  the  Prod- 
igal Son.  There  was  much  power.  The  chief  hymns 
were,  "Jesus  of  Nazareth,"  "Come  home," and  "Almost 
persuaded."  There  were  many  inquirers.  The  crowd 
outside  was  very  great,  and  Free  West  Trinity  and  the 
Baptist  Chapel,  Crown  Street,  had  to  be  opened,  and  were 
more  or  less  filled,  while  several  ministers  conducted  an 
open-air  service  in  one  of  the  squares.  We  have  never 
at  any  time  seen  the  city  so  moved  as  it  was  this  day. 

On  Monday  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  South  Parish 
Church,  with  a  prayer -meeting  at  3  P.M.  Among  the 
audience  there  were  between  twenty  and  thirty  ministers 
of  various  denominations.  In  the  evening  a  meeting 
was  held  in  the  South  Parish  Church. 

Two  hours  before  the  time  announced  for  commencing 
the  meeting  in  the  South  Parish  Church,  a  crowd  had 
gathered  at  the  door,  and  no  sooner  was  admission  gain- 
ed than  every  seat  and  corner  of  the  large  church  began 
to  be  rapidly  filled.  It  was  soon  seen  that  the  numbers 
waiting  outside  could  not  gain  admission  into  the  church, 
and  provision  was  immediately  made  for  having  an  open- 
air  meeting  in  the  quadrangle  of  Marischal  College.  Mr. 
Moody  and  Mr.  Sankey  arrived  about  half-past  seven, 
and  prayer  having  been  led,  Mr.  Sankey  sung  the  already 
well-known  hymn,  "  Hold  the  Fort,"  the  choir  and  the  au- 
dience joining  heartily  in  the  chorus.  Mr.  Moody  read  a 
portion  of  the  tenth  chapter  of  Luke,  the  story  of  the  Good 
Samaritan,  and  in  a  few  sentences  drew  a  vivid  resem- 


PERTH,  ABERDEEN,  AND  FORFARSHIRE.  179 

blance  between  it  and  the  mission  of  Christ  to  wounded 
sinners.  The  reading  was  followed  by  the  singing  of  a 
hymn  by  Mr.  Sankey,  "  The  Lost  Sheep,"  and  it  was  ren- 
dered in  such  a  peculiarly  appropriate  style  that  the  vis- 
ible effect  on  the  audience  was  something  remarkable. 

A  short  supplication  for  a  blessing  on  the  meeting 
was  offered  by  Mr.  Moody,  who  then  said  he  would  call 
their  attention  for  a  short  time  to  the  text  in  the  second 
chapter  of  Luke,  "Behold  I  bring  you  glad  tidings  of 
great  joy,  which  shall  be  to  all  people,  for  unto  you  is 
born  this  day  a  Saviour." 

Mr.  Moody  only  spoke  twenty  minutes,  and  by  this 
time  Mr.  Sankey  and  a  portion  of  the  choir  had  gone  to 
the  Quadrangle,  where  there  was  a  considerable  gather- 
ing. A  verse  of  a  psalm  was  sung  in  the  church,  and 
Mr.  Moody  proceeded  to  the  open-air  meeting,  the  entire 
congregation  following  him.  By  the  time  he  got  on  the 
platform  between  four  and  five  thousand  had  gathered 
in  the  square. 

~No  sooner  was  the  concourse  of  people  comparatively 
quiet  than  Mr.  Moody  wished  to  hear  them  all  sing  the 
100th  Psalm,  after  which  he  began  to  speak  from  the 
text  in  Mark  xvi. :  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach 
the  Gospel  to  every  creature."  The  audience  before  him 
was  of  a  much' more  miscellaneous  nature  than  any  of  his 
previous  ones,  a  goodly  number  having  been  drawn  ap- 
parently from  the  Guestrow  and  Gallowgate,  to  whom  Mr. 
Moody  directed  his  special  attention,  addressing  them 
with  a  ready  familiarity.  He  expressed  himself  greatly 
pleased  with  the  character  of  the  meeting ;  he  liked  open- 
air  meetings  on  week-days,  because  all  kinds  of  people 
could  come  to  them,  while  no  doubt  a  good  many  came, 


180  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

all  eyes  and  mouths  open,  for  curiosity's  sake.  The  text 
he  had  chosen  was  an  open-air  one,  and  commanded  them 
to  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature,  and  in  a  few  sen- 
tences he  pointed  out  how  comprehensive  was  this  in- 
junction of  the  Saviour's.  Throughout  both  his  even- 
ing discourses  Mr.  Moody  showed  a  wonderful  fitness  for 
adapting  the  circumstances  around  him  to  illustrate  his 
meaning,  thereby  giving  a  kind  of  personal  interest  to 
what  he  was  saying.  His  address  lasted  about  the  same 
time  as  the  one  in  church,  and  at  its  conclusion  he  inti- 
mated that  a  prayer-meeting  would  be  held  in  the  Free 
High  Church  for  about  half  an  hour.  While  this  meet- 
ing was  going  on,  those  who  desired  private  conversa- 
tion retired  to  the  hall  below. 

The  prayer-meeting  was  continued  in  the  church  by 
several  clergymen,  and  did  not  break  up  until  after  ten 
o'clock ;  the  inquirers'  meeting  lasted  a  good  time  longer. 

FORFARSHIRE. 

Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  continued  their  labors  for 
two  weeks  in  Aberdeen,  and  from  thence  paid  a  flying 
visit  (all  they  could  find  time  for)  to  Montrose,  Brechin, 
Forfar,  and  Arbroath.  In  each  place  all  their  meetings 
were  densely  crowded,  although  they  were  for  the  most 
part  held  in  the  very  large  parish  churches.  At  Mont- 
rose, as  in  all  the  other  towns,  the  earnest  ministers  and 
Christian  people  of  the  place  had  been  making  many 
prayerful  efforts  to  awaken  special  interest  in  divine 
tilings  in  this  time  of  blessing. 

In  Brechin  next  day  they  held  two  meetings,  which 
none  who  had  the  joy  of  being  present  at  can  ever 
forget     Both  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr.  Sankey  seemed  to  be 


PERTH,  ABERDEEN,  AND  FORFARSHIRE.  181 

peculiarly  happy  and  at  home  in  this  town,  and  to 
speak  and  sing  with  even  more  than  their  wonted  ten- 
derness and  power.  An  open-air  meeting  had  been  hoped 
for,  both  in  Brechin  and  in  Arbroath,  but  Mr.  Moody  felt 
unequal  to  the  effort,  having  hurt  his  voice  in  one  of  the 
northern  mists. 

The  second  meeting  was  at  half-past  two,  in  the  parish 
church,  which  could  not  nearly  hold  all  who  would  fain 
have  heard  the  strangers.  The  schools  of  the  town  had 
a  half-holiday,  that  masters  and  pupils  might  be  present, 
and  all  the  factory  workers  who  chose  were  also  given 
leave  of  absence  to  attend  the  meeting.  Many  of  these 
last  were  present  in  their  working-clothes,  and  barehead- 
ed. Two  of  the  ministers  led  in  prayer.  One  prayer 
was  specially  on  behalf  of  Lord  Dalhousie,  since  de- 
ceased, who  lay  very  ill  almost  under  the  shadow  of  the 
ancient  church,  where  more  than  two  thousand  lifted  up 
their  hearts  on  his  behalf. 

Mr.  Moody  preached  for  an  hour  with  great  power 
on  the  words,  "Ye  must  be  born  again;"  and  after  this 
meeting  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  hurried  off  to  For- 
far, where  they  addressed  another  large  gathering,  called 
together  on  a  few  hours'  notice,  in  the  very  large  parish 
church  of  that  town. 

Next  day,  Thursday,  July  2d,  our  American  friends 
proceeded  to  Arbroath,  with  their  usual  unflagging  en- 
ergy. They  addressed  two  meetings,  which  were  both 
held  in  the  parish  church,  as  the  largest  place  to  be  had. 
Mr.  Moody's  state  of  voice  prevented  him  speaking  in  a 
third  meeting,  or  in  the  open  air,  as  had  been  expected. 
As  usual,  very  many  were  disappointed  of  admission,  for 
want  of  room ;  and  many  more  from  the  country  district 


182  THE  WORE  OF  GOD  ilV  GREAT  BRIT  Am. 

round  did  not  attempt  to  be  present,  knowing  that  others 
would  be  rilling  the  church  before  they  could  arrive. 

At  the  evening  meeting  the  church  was  even  more 
crowded,  and  the  audience  included  a  great  many  work- 
ing-people. Mr.  Moody  preached  on  "  The  Son  of  Man 
is  come  to  seek  and  to  save  that  which  was  lost,"  and 
told  the  message  of  divine  love  with  great  tenderness 
and  power.  He  afterward  invited  inquirers  to  meet  him 
in  a  United  Presbyterian  church  not  far  off;  and  about 
one  hundred,  including  about  forty  children,  did  so. 
Both  then  and  since  there  have  been  many  proofs  that 
the  Holy  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is  at  work  in  Arbroath. 


TAIN,  HUNTLY,  NAIRN,  AND  ELGIN  183 


VIII. 

TAIN,  HUNTLY,  NAIRN,  AND   ELGIN. 
TAIN. 

On  Monday,  July  13th,  at  half-past  one,  Mr.  Moody 
preached  to  a  very  large  audience  in  the  Free  Church. 
Five  o'clock  was  the  hour  appointed  for  the  open-air 
meeting,  and  this  picturesque  town  presented  an  aspect 
never  to  be  forgotten.  The  special  trains  have  just  ar- 
rived ;  the  steep  way  from  the  station  is  thronged ;  vehi- 
cles of  all  descriptions  approach  by  the  various  avenues 
into  the  town ;  and  as  we  move  forward  to  the  Academy 
Park,  the  whole  population  seems  astir,  moved  in  one 
direction,  drawn  by  one  impulse.  The  service  proceeds. 
Mr.  Sankey  sings  the  solo,  "  The  lost  Sheep,"  accompany- 
ing himself  on  the  American  organ.  Every  eye  is  fixed ; 
and  as  the  stirring,  earnest  statements  and  appeals  of  Mr. 
Moody  follow,  the  gaze  of  curiosity  is  changed  into  the 
intense  earnestness  of  personal  interest.  It  is  the  old 
Gospel,  yet  some  there  feel  it  as  they  never  felt  it  before. 
It  is  estimated  that  from  four  to  five  thousand  were  pres- 
ent at  this  meeting. 

At  seven  the  Free  Church,  capable  of  containing  up- 
ward of  two  thousand,  was  densely  crowded,  many  hav- 
ing to  leave  for  want  of  room.  About  half-past  eight  the 
benediction  was  pronounced,  after  a  most  solemn  serv- 
ice ;  and  Mr.  Moody  requested  as  many  believers,  and 
persons  knowing  that  they  were  yet  unconverted,  but 


184  THE  WORK  OF  OOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

who  wished  to  find  Christ,  as  could  remain,  to  do  so 
while  others  left. 

While  a  hymn  was  being  sung,  those  who  had  to  leave 
did  so ;  others  gathered  into  the  area  of  the  church,  and 
the  doors  were  shut.  There  were  some  moments  of  si- 
lent prayer,  and  then,  amidst  deep  stillness,  Mr.  Moody 
said,  "  We  are  all  friends  here,  and  I  would  just  request 
those  who  believe  that  they  received  Christ  to-day,  and 
those  who  desire  to  receive  him  now,  to  stand  up,  that 
we  may  pray  for  them."  For  more  than  a  minute  all 
was  still;  then  Mr.  Moody  said  slowly,  as  one  after  an- 
other rose,  "  One,  two,  three,  four,  five,  six,  seven  ;"  add- 
ing, as  a  large  number  now  arose,  "  more  than  I  can 
count.  God  be  praised!"  What  a  moment  was  that! 
"  God  be  praised !"  was  the  language  of  many  a  heart. 
Till  eleven  o'clock  the  church  was  an  inquiry-room,  Mr. 
Moody,  Mr.  Sankey,  many  ministers,  and  others  being 
engaged  in  pointing  souls  to  Christ;  and  many  professed 
to  accept  God's  gift,  and  to  enter  into  peace. 

Tuesday  being  wet,  meetings  were  held  in  the  Free 
Church  at  twelve  and  at  half-past  two.  The  church  was 
filled  to  overflowing  on  both  occasions;  many  remained 
in  the  church  during  the  interval,  singing  hymns,  while 
some  ministers  were  conversing  with  anxious  ones.  At 
the  afternoon  meeting  Mr.  Sankey  sung  several  solos. 
The  breathless  stillness  and  tearful  eyes  testified  to  the 
power  that  accompanied  these  sacred  songs.  Mr.  Moody 
spoke  with  a  peculiar  force  and  impressiveness  on  "I 
pray  thee  have  me  excused." 

After  the  benediction,  very  many  remained;  and  when 
Mr.  Moody  again  asked  those  who  desired  to  be  saved 
now  to  stand  to  be  prayed  for,  about  five  hundred  stood 


TAIN,  HUNTLY,  NAIRN,  AND  ELGIN  185 

up.  It  is  impossible  adequately  to  describe  the  scene — 
silence,  broken  only  by  that  solemn  rising.  Very  many 
were  shedding  silent  tears — some  from  a  sense  of  sin  and 
danger,  others  from  joy  to  see  the  Lord's  work.  One 
minister,  who  has  seen  much  in  connection  with  this  re- 
ligious movement,  lifted  his  head,  which  had  been  bowed 
in  prayer,  and  seeing  these  hundreds  standing,  he  utterly 
broke  down,  and  wept  like  a  child. 

Mr.  Moody  addressed  the  anxious,  and  then  stated  that 
he  must  leave,  to  keep  an  engagement  at  Inverness,  but 
would  request  Mr.  San  key  to  remain. 

Mr.  Sankey  and  many  ministers  and  Christian  friends 
continued  in  conversation  with  anxious  ones,  till  nearly 
six  o'clock. 

Men  and  women,  the  aged  and  the  little  child,  were 
there,  all  with  one  accord  seeking  Christ.  Some,  in  an- 
swer to  inquiries,  stated  that  then,  for  the  first  time, 
they  had  felt  their  sin  and  danger;  others  had  been 
seeking  for  twenty  years,  others  for  ten  years,  and  vari- 
ous periods. 

Those  who  know  the  reserve  and  shyness  to  mention 
what  is  personal  in  religion,  which  characterize  the  peo- 
ple in  this  quarter,  and  who  consider  that  many  of  those 
who  stood  for  prayer  were  well  known  in  a  small  town, 
will  be  best  able  to  appreciate  the  power  that  could  over- 
come that  natural  reserve. 

HUNTLY. 

At  Huntly,  once  famous  for  its  religious  gatherings, 
open-air  meetings  were  held  in  Castle  Park  during  the 
first  week  of  July,  where,  as  soon  as  it  became  known 
that  the  services  of  the  American  evangelists  had  been 


186  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

secured,  the  people  from  neighboring  parishes  came 
flocking  in  from  all  directions.  All  sorts  of  vehicles 
brought  their  living  freights  of  both  sexes,  and  the  num- 
ber of  pedestrians  from  neighboring  localities  was  alto- 
gether unprecedented.  The  village  of  Aberchirder  al- 
most emptied  itself,  and  we  understood  the  same  might  be 
said  of  many  of  the  fishing  villages  along  the  coast,  the 
exodus  from  which  was  so  great  that  the  powers  and  re- 
sources of  the  "innocent  railway"  were  most  severely 
tasked. 

Immediately  after  the  arrival  of  the  trains,  the  streets 
of  Huntly  presented  an  appearance  such  as  has  never 
been  seen  in  modern  times.  A  conference  was  intended 
to  be  held  in  the  Congregational  Church,  but  so  great 
was  the  crowd  anxious  for  admission  that  the  idea  had 
to  be  abandoned,  as  no  church  in  the  town  would  have 
contained  half  the  number  of  those  wishing  to  be  pres- 
ent, and  consequently  the  forenoon  meeting  in  the  Park 
was  commenced  at  ten  o'clock,  instead  of  eleven,  as  in- 
tended. 

At  this  meeting  the  lowest  estimate  we  have  heard 
was  ten  thousand,  some  maintaining  there  were  twelve 
thousand  on  the  ground.  In  the  afternoon  the  attend- 
ance was  much  larger,  numbers  having  arrived  by  the 
midday  trains,  and  also  from  the  country  ;  and  when  Mr. 
Moody  was  addressing  the  assemblage,  it  was  computed 
he  was  speaking  to  at  least  fifteen  thousand  people,  some 
asserting  that  the  number  was  little  short  of  twenty 
thousand.  Notwithstanding  the  vastness  of  the  crowd, 
which,  by-the-way,  was  standing  very  closely  packed  to- 
gether, Mr.  Moody  was  most  distinctly  heard  at  its  utmost 
limits. 


TAW,  HUNTLY,  NAIRN,  AND  ELGIN.  187 

At  the  evening  meeting  Mr.  Moody  began  by  giving 
some  account  of  his  own  experience,  and  proceeded  to 
explain  the  nature  of  faith,  showing  that  the  reason  of 
men's  condemnation  was,  "that  they  spurned  the  rem- 
edy." His  distinction  between  "I  will  not"  and  "I  can 
not "  was  well  illustrated,  and  seldom  has  it  been  our  for- 
tune to  listen  to  a  clearer  exposition. 

After  Mr.  Sankey  had  led  in  singing  the  40th  Psalm, 
Dr.  Black,  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Moody,  gave  an  exceed- 
ingly impressive  address  from  Gal.  ii.,  20.  The  meeting 
then  adjourned  to  the  parish  church. 

After  a  short  address  on  the  nature  and  scriptu rain  ess 
of  inquiry-meetings,  Mr.  Moody  invited  the  audience  to 
sing  a  hymn  standing,  to  give  inquirers  an  opportunity 
of  stepping  into  the  inquiry-room,  and  a  few  complied. 
Mr.  Moody  startled  us  when  he  said  that  the  vestry  of 
the  Established  Church  was  built  for  the  very  purpose, 
but  it  was- a  goodly  sight  to  see  it  turned  to  such  a  use. 

NAIRN. 

On  Tuesday,  July  21st,  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey 
were  at  Nairn.  Their  visit  was  preceded  by  prayer  to 
God  for  an  outpouring  of  the  Spirit,  and  many  of  the 
Christians  were  looking  for  much  blessing.  Mr.  Moody 
presided  at  twelve  o'clock  in  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church.  Long  before  the  time  announced  that  the  serv- 
ice would  begin  the  building  was  crowded.  Mr.  Moody 
gave  a  short  address  on  the  three  kinds  of  Christians: 
Asking,  Seeking,  and  Knocking.  Mr.  Sankey  sung 
"  Keep  praying  at  the  Door." 

A  Bible -reading  took  place  in  the  Free  Church  at 
three  o'clock,  and  at  half-past  six  Mr.  Moody  addressed 


188  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

an  audience  of  not  less  than  five  thousand  on  the  Links, 
on  the  verse,  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the 
gospel  to  every  creature."  At  eight  o'clock  upward  of 
one  thousand  filled  the  Free  Church,  where  Mr.  Moody 
spoke  for  half  an  hour,  giving  a  question  to  each  soul, 
"Am  I  saved  or  am  I  lost?"  Mr.  Moody  asked  those 
who  wished  to  be  prayed  for  to  stand  up,  when  many 
did  so.  An  inquiry-meeting  was  held  at  the  close,  and 
about  sixty  or  more  were  conversed  with,  while  many 
retired  to  their  homes  with  an  arrow  in  their  hearts. 
Some  professed  to  close  with  Jesus,  and  some  left  unde- 
cided for  the  Lord.  Mr.  Moody  and  his  fellow-laborer 
left  for  Elgin  next  morning,  while  the  services  were  being 
carried  on  by  the  ministers  in  town  and  an  evangelist. 
The  inquiry-meeting  on  Wednesday  evening  was  still 
more  interesting,  many  professing  to  close  with  Jesus. 
The  whole  town  was  moved. 

ELGIN". 

The  Elgin  Courier  devotes  two  columns  to  the  two 
days'  visit  of  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  to  that  ancient 
town,  where  meetings  were  held  with  results  similar  to 
those  which  have  attended  them  elsewhere. 

Last  evening,  23d,  at  seven  o'clock,  an  open-air  meeting 
was  held  on  Ladyhill.  The  weather  was  very  favorable. 
Nearly  all  the  shops  on  the  High  Street  were  shut  at 
about  seven  o'clock.  The  sun,  as  he  sank  to  rest  in  the 
west,  shed  his  dying  glory  over  the  most  picturesque 
scene  on  the  hill-side.  It  was  estimated  by  some  that 
there  were  between  five  and  six  thousand  persons  pres- 
ent, it  being  the  largest  gathering  of  the  kind  we  ever 
remember  having  seen  in  Elgin.     Tempted  by  the  fine 


TAIN,  HUNTLY,  NAIBN,  AND  ELGIN  189 

evening,  all  classes  of  the  people  turned  out,  many  ar- 
riving from  all  parts  of  the  surrounding  districts.  At 
the  foot  of  the  hill  a  platform  was  erected,  which  was 
occupied  by  the  choir  and  speakers.  The  whole  hill- 
side, for  a  great  distance  up  and  round  about,  was  cover- 
ed with  the  dense  multitude,  that  presented,  with  their 
varied  dresses,  a  most  imposing  spectacle.  On  the  Mar- 
ket Green  there  were  also  a  large  number  of  people. 

The  meeting  having  been  opened  with  praise  and 
prayer,  Mr.  Moody  spoke  for  about  an  hour  on  the 
words,  "Ye  must  be  born  again,"  with  characteristic 
earnestness  and  graphic  description.  Several  hymns 
were  then  sung,  after  which  the  meeting  was  dismissed, 
it  being  intimated  that  another  would  be  held  in  the 
parish  church,  for  which  there  was  a  great  rush.  The 
gates  having  been  opened,  the  church  seats  were  com- 
pletely filled  in  a  few  minutes.  The  meeting  was  de- 
voted to  praise  and  prayer,  Mr.  Moody  leaving  to  speak 
with  the  anxious  in  the  new  Evangelistic  Hall. 

Such  a  Sabbath-day  as  the  last  one  we  had  never 
seen  in  Elgin.  During  the  intervals  between  the  differ- 
ent meetings,  the  streets  were  thronged  with  people  from 
all  parts  of  the  surrounding  districts,  of  all  classes,  "  set 
out,"  of  course,  in  Sunday  attire.  The  number  of  peo- 
ple from  the  coast  towns  was  also  unprecedentedly  great. 

At  nine  o'clock  a  meeting  of  Sabbath-school  teachers 
and  mission  workers  was  held  in  the  parish  church.  It 
was  thoroughly  representative  of  nearly  all  religious 
workers  in  the  town  and  district.  Most  of  the  clergy- 
men of  the  town  were  present. 

Mr.  Moody's  address,  specially  given  to  workers  in 
the  Christian  field,  was  a  most  practical  one,  and  was  all 


190  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

through  powerfully  illustrated  by  most  suitable  anec- 
dotes, some  of  which,  owing  to  their  rather  facetious  na- 
ture, produced  a  smile  on  the  faces  of  those  present. 

At  half-past  one  o'clock,  Mr.  Moody  preached  in  the 
Established  Church,  which  was  crowded  to  the  utmost 
extent. 

At  five  o'clock  in  the  evening  the  farewell  open-air 
meeting  was  held  on  Ladyhill,  which  was,  literally  speak- 
ing, one  huge  black  mass.  For  about  an  hour  or  so  be- 
fore the  time  of  meeting  a  perfect  stream  of  people  kept 
pouring  onward  up  the  High  Street  toward  the  hill. 
Ere  the  hour  arrived  the  crowd  had  grown  densely 
large.  There  were  between  seven  and  eight  thousand 
persons  present. 

Mr.  Moody  arrived,  with  Mr.  Sankey,  about  five  o'clock. 
The  first  four  verses  of  the  40th  Psalm  were  sung,  Mr. 
Sankey  leading.  Nothing  could  have  been  more  beau- 
tiful or  soul-inspiring  than  to  hear  the  sound  of  the  fine 
old  tune  "Evan,"  which  reverberated  from  the  hill-side. 
After  prayer  Mr.  Sankey  sung  "  The  Lost  Sheep."  Mr. 
Moody  then  spoke  from  Luke  iv.,  16.  As  he  concluded, 
the  weather  cleared  up,  and  the  scene  was  brightened  by 
the  rays  of  the  sun.  Mr.  Sankey  sung,  "  I  am  coming, 
Lord,"  the  people  joining  with  him.  Prayer  was  then 
offered,  after  which  Mr.  Moody  intimated  that  meetings 
would  be  held  in  the  parish  church  and  the  Free  High 
Church  after  the  open-air  one  was-dismissed.  The  crowd 
then  separated. 

In  a  short  time  both  parish  and  free  churches  were 
filled.  In  the  parish  church  an  able  and  appropriate  ad- 
dress was  given  by  Mr.  Moody  on  the  words,  "Son,  re- 
member," Mr.  Sankey  singing  a  very  beautiful  hymn. 


TAIN,  HUNTLT,  NAIRN,  AND  ELGIN.  191 

At  the  after-meeting  a  large  number  of  anxious  inquirers 
staid,  about  seventy-seven  persons  standing  up,  express- 
ing by  so  doing  their  wish  to  become  Christians.  The 
meetings  in  the  other  churches  were  equally  successful. 

After  a  visit  at  Banffshire  Mr.  Moody  spent  another 
day  at  Elgin,  and  there  was  great  joy  on  Wednesday  af- 
ternoon, when  it  was  flashed  through  the  country-side 
that  on  the  following  evening  there  was  to  be  another 
of  those  great  open-air  gatherings  which  every  one  had 
enjoyed  so  much.     The  meeting  is  thus  described : 

"It  was  a  strange  contrast  last  Thursday;  at  five 
o'clock,  in  the  busy  Show  at  Inverness,  at  seven  in  the 
streets  of  Elgin,  quiet  at  all  times,  but  that  night  alto- 
gether passengerless  and  deserted.  Surely  something 
unusual  was  going  on — the  streets  abandoned,  the  house- 
doors  fast,  the  shops  closed.  Through  half  a  mile  of  the 
empty  streets,  ours  were  the  only  footsteps  that  echoed 
on  the  pavement,  and  every  thing  was  silent  and  desolate 
as  a  plague-stricken  city  !  At  last,  just  on  the  verge  of 
the  town,  the  stillness  was  broken  by  the  distant  sound 
of  a  voice,  and  the  turn  of  a  lane  revealed  a  sight  which 
time  can  never  efface  from  the  memory.  There  stood 
the  inhabitants,  motionless,  breathless,  plague-stricken  in- 
deed— plague-stricken  with  the  plague  of  sin.  The  ser- 
mon was  evidently  half  over,  and  the  preacher,  with  fold- 
ed arms,  leaned  over  the  wooden  rail  of  the  rude  plat- 
form. Oh,  the  sin  upon  these  faces  round  him !  How 
God  was  searching  the  heart  that  night!  I  can  not  tell 
you  who  were  there,  or  how  many,  or  what  a  good  choir 
there  was,  or  what  Mr.  Sankey  sung,  or  which  dignitary 
prayed.  I  can  not  tell  you  how  beautifully  the  sun  was 
setting,  or  how  fresh  the  background  of  woods  looked, 


192  THE  WORK  OF  GOB  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

or  how  azure  the  sky  was.  But  these  old  men  penitent, 
these  drunkards  petrified,  these  strong  men's  tears,  these 
drooping  heads  of  women,  these  groups  of  gutter  chil- 
dren with  their  wondering  eyes?  Oh,  that  multitude 
of  thirsty  ones — what  a  sight  it  was!  What  could  the 
preacher  do  but  preach  his  best?  And  long  after  the 
time  for  stopping,  was  it  a  marvel  to  hear  the  persuasive 
voice  still  pleading  with  these  Christless  thousands? 

11  One  often  hears  doubts  as  to  the  possibility  of  pro- 
ducing an  impression  in  the  open  air,  but  there  is  no 
mistake  this  time.  No,  there  is  no  mistaking  these  long 
concentric  arcs  of  wistful  faces  curving  around  the  speak- 
er, and  these  reluctant  tears,  which  conscious  guilt  has 
wrung  from  eyes  unused  to  weep.  Oh,  the  power  of  the 
living  Spirit  of  God  !  Oh,  the  fascination  of  the  Gospel 
of  Christ !  Oh,  the  gladness  of  the  old,  old  story  to  these 
men  and  women  hurrying  to  eternity! 

"The  hundred  and  first  night  in  Glasgow  excepted, 
never  have  we  seen  the  Holy  Spirit's  nearness  more  keen- 
ly realized.  These  thousands  just  hung  spell-bound  on 
the  speaker's  lips.  It  appeared  as  though  he  dare  not 
stop,  so  many  hungry  ones  were  there  to  feed.  At  last, 
when  about  to  close,  and  the  audience  strained  to  catch 
the  last  solemn  words,  the  preacher,  casting  his  eye  on  a 
little  boy,  seemed  moved  with  an  overpowering  desire 
to  tell  the  little  ones  of  a  children's  Christ.  Then  fol- 
lowed for  fifteen  minutes  more  the  most  beautiful  and 
pathetic  children's  sermon  we  have  ever  heard;  and, 
turning  to  the  weeping  mothers  and  fathers,  he  con- 
cluded with  a  last  tender  appeal,  which  must  have  sunk 
deep  into  many  a  parent's  heart. 


TAIN,  HUNTLY,  NAIRN,  AND  ELGIN  193 

INQUIRY-MEETINGS. 

"Long  before  the  close  of  the  address  it  was  evident  to 
all  that  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  was  going  to  give  us  a 
glorious  reaping-time  that  night.  We  had  not,  indeed, 
been  ten  minutes  on  the  ground,  when  a  stranger  whis- 
pered, in  the  very  middle  of  the  address,  'Will  you  come 
and  speak  to  a  woman  about  her  soul  ?'  at  the  same  time 
pointing  out  a  drooping  figure  standing  near,  with  face 
buried  in  her  shawl.  We  were  not  surprised,  therefore, 
at  the  great  crowds  which  entered  the  inquiry-meetings 
— in  one  church  for  women,  another  in  a  large  hall  for 
men,  while  the  Christians  went  apart  by  themselves  to 
another  church  to  pray.  The  arrangements  connected 
with  these  after-meetings  were  all  beautifully  managed, 
and  shortly  after  nine  o'clock  the  whole  three  were  well 
under  way.  The  women's  inquiry-meeting  was  supplied 
with  relays  of  workers  from  the  prayer-meeting.  The 
work  was  on  a  very  large  scale,  and  the  workers'  report 
was  that  the  cases  were  of  a  very  hopeful  character.  But 
the  work  among  the  men — and  this  is  a  splendid  testi- 
mony to  the  depth  and  reality  of  the  impressions — was 
even  on  a  larger  scale  still ;  and  the  sight  in  the  Evan- 
gelistic Hall,  where  the  men's  inquiry-meeting  was  held, 
is  not  soon  to  be  forgotten.  The  whole  hall  was  filled 
with  men,  broken  up  into  little  groups  of  twos  and  threes, 
talking  in  hushed  yet  earnest  voices  on  the  great  subject 
of  the  one  thing  needful ;  while  behind,  in  the  committee- 
room,  half  a  hundred  young  men  were  gathered  in  prayer 
for  their  groping  brothers.  Many  of  these  had  them- 
selves but  newly  decided  for  Christ,  and  were  the  fruit 

9 


194  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

of  the  week's  meetings  for  men,  which  have  been  blessed 
by  God  far  above  all  expectation. 

"It  is  useless  to  attempt  to  give  even  an  approximate 
idea  of  the  extent  of  the  blessing  which  fell  upon  El- 
gin on  Thursday  night.  The  whole  of  Morayshire  has 
shared  it,  and  a  powerful  hold  has  been  gained  in  nearly 
every  farm-house  and  village  throughout  the  country- 
side." 


CLOSING  MEETINGS  IN  SCOTLAND.  195 


IX. 

CLOSING  MEETINGS  IN  SCOTLAND. 

MEETING  AT  CRAIG  CASTLE. 

On  Sunday  afternoon,  an  open-air  evangelistic  service 
was  held  on  Craig  Castle  lawn,  conducted  by  Mr.  Moody. 
The  weather  in  the  early  part  of  the  day  was  very  un- 
propitious,  heavy  showers  descending,  with  brief  inter- 
vals, until  four  P.M.,  when  the  rain  ceased,  and  it  contin- 
ued fair  during  the  evening.  The  wet  detained  not  a 
few  at  their  homes,  no  doubt,  but  most  of  those  who 
came  seemed  to  have  determined  to  be  present  in  any 
case;  and  by  five  o'clock  a  very  large  company — es- 
pecially taking  into  account  the  thinly-peopled  districts 
from  which  they  had  gathered — had  assembled  on  the 
beautiful  lawn  in  front  of  the  castle.  Every  valley  and 
hamlet  within  a  radius  of  ten  miles  sent  its  company  in 
gig,  cart,  or  afoot,  until  at  five  o'clock  about  two  thou- 
sand five  hundred  people  stood  on  the  lawn.  The  gath- 
ering resembled  somewhat  one  of  the  Covenanter  hill- 
side meetings,  save  that  while  the  Bibles  were  still  pres- 
ent, the  broadswords  were  altogether  absent ;  and  the 
rendezvous,  instead  of  being  a  wild,  rocky  pass,  was  a 
hospitable  castle,  with  its  fairy  dell  and  leaping  linn,  cel- 
ebrated in  song,  and  known  as  one  of  the  loveliest  spots 
in  Scotland. 

The  beauty  of  the  scene  seemed  specially  to  move  Mr. 
Moody,  who  referred  to  it  again  and  again  in  his  dis- 


196  THE  WORE  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN: 

course,  which  was  one  of  peculiar  beauty,  power,  and 
pathos.  Standing  in  an  open  carriage  placed  near  a  tow- 
ering tree,  the  preacher  spoke  for  nearly  an  hour  from 
the  parable  of  the  marriage-feast.  A  very  marked  im- 
pression was  produced,  and  many  retired  at  the  close  of 
the  service  for  conversation  with  the  preacher  and  other 
ministers  and  friends. 

The  Craig  gathering  of  August,  1874,  will,  we  believe, 
be  ever  memorable  to  not  a  few  as  "the  beginning  of 
days"  to  them. 

During  the  last  days  of  August,  a  farewell  conven- 
tion was  held  at  Inverness.  It  was  an  "  all-day  meet- 
ing,'7 each  hour  being  devoted  to  a  special  subject. 

After  the  convention,  Mr.  Moody  went  down  the  Cal- 
edonian Canal  to  Oban,  and  there  on  Friday,  the  28th, 
gave  an  address,  with  much  apparent  blessing,  in  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church.  There  had  been  much 
preparatory  work  in  the  town,  not  only  in  the  open-air 
meetings,  but  also  in  other  special  services;  and  in  the 
two  preceding  months  the  Rev.  H.  Bonar  and  the  Rev. 
A.  Bonar  had  ministered  the  Word  in  the  Free  Church. 
From  Oban  Mr.  Moody  went  to  Campbelton,  by  way  of 
Tarbert,  on  Loch  Fyne,  and  remained  from  the  29th  till 
the  3d  of  September,  when  he  left  for  Rothesay,  taking 
the  Tarbert  route,  and  staying  at  Ballinakill,  where  many 
were  gathered  from  various  parts  of  Kintyre  to  meet 
him.  His  work  at  Campbelton  was  deeply  interesting, 
and  was  crowned  with  remarkable  blessing.  He  com- 
menced on  Sunday,  the  30th,  by  three  services ;  speak- 
ing first  to  workers,  then  on  the  blood,  and  lastly  on  the 
grand  command,  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach 
the  Gospel  to  every  creature."     The  result  after  that  last 


CLOSING  MEETINGS  IN  SCOTLAND.  197 

address  was  most  striking.  Upward  of  fifty  stood  up  to 
ask  to  be  prayed  for,  and  to  declare  their  desire  to  be 
Christians.  The  meeting  had  been  overcrowded,  and 
some  went  to  the  Drill  Hall,  where  the  Gospel  was 
preached  by  willing  helpers;  but  in  the  great  after-meet- 
ing in  the  church  all  were  united,  and  it  was  felt  to  be 
a  time  of  wonderful  enlargement  and  power.  On  the 
three  following  days  the  interest  was  deepened  at  suc- 
cessive meetings ;  till  at  the  last,  on  Wednesday  night, 
when  Mr.  Moody  had  preached  on  God's  invitation  and 
man's  excuses,  a  very  large  number  were  gathered  into 
a  hall,  either  as  converts  or  inquirers;  and  it  was  mani- 
fest that  much  fruit  had  been  gathered  to  life  eternal. 
The  work  now  is  laid  on  the  hearts  of  some  who  are 
striving  to  confirm  the  souls  of  the  disciples;  and,  as  one 
means,  it  has  been  arranged  to  have  a  converts'  meeting 
weekly,  similar  to  that  in  Ewing  Place,  Glasgow. 

The  last  meeting  was  at  Eothesay,  and  is  thus  de- 
scribed : 

''Meetings  for  special  prayer  and  evangelistic  work 
have  been  held  here  since  the  middle  of  October  last 
year.  These  meetings  were  held  in  several  of  the  church- 
es on  the  Sabbath  evenings  ;  in  the  Victoria  Hall,  and 
latterly  in  the  Town  Mission  Hall  on  week-day  evenings. 
These  services,  added  to  the  general  interest  manifested 
throughout  the  country  in  religious  things,  led  to  united 
meetings  for  prayer.  These  daily  meetings  were  brought 
to  a  close  about  the  end  of  May.  The  meetings  in  the 
Town  Mission,  however,  were  continued  three  nights 
weekly,  from  the  14th  of  December  last  till  the  present 
time,  and  have,  we  believe,  been  blessed  to  not  a  few. 
There  have  been  marked  cases  of  interest,  and  those  who 


198  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

took  part  in  the  meetings  have  been  greatly  refreshed 
and  encouraged,  while  week  by  week  they  were  growing 
more  earnest  in  the  work.  The  prayer-meeting  on  Sat- 
urday evenings  has  been  for  some  time  marked  as  pos- 
sessed of  more  than  usual  interest. 

"Several  requests  from  all  the  ministers  and  office- 
bearers in  town  were  sent  to  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey, 
without  success  until  last  week,  when,  on  returning  from 
Campbelton  to  Greenock,  en  route  for  Belfast,  Mr.  Moody 
kindly  agreed  to  spend  Thursday  evening  in  Eothesay. 
As  soon  as  the  telegram  to  this  effect  was  received,  ar- 
rangements were  at  once  made  for  holding  one  or  more 
meetings.  The  news  soon  spread  through  the  town  and 
island,  and  it  was  speedily  evident  that  one  building 
would  be  insufficient  to  hold  the  numbers  likely  to  at- 
tend. Accordingly  it  was  arranged  to  hold  a  meeting  at 
seven  o'clock  in  the  West  Free  Church,  and  a  second 
meeting  in  the  East  Free  Church,  at  half- past  eight 
o'clock.  After  Mr.  Moody's  arrival  it  was  found  that 
only  one  meeting  could  be  addressed  by  him,  and  a 
change  of  arrangement  had  accordingly  to  be  made — a 
change  at  first  regretted,  but  which  eventually  proved 
to  be  for  the  benefit  of  all.  The  West  Free  Church,  be- 
ing the  largest  building,  was  accordingly  selected,  and  by 
seven  o'clock  was  literally  packed — passages,  pulpit  stairs, 
lobby,  etc.,  being  occupied  by  a  dense  mass  of  human  be- 
ings. Mr.  Moody  arrived  at  half-past  seven,  when  Kev. 
Mr.  Thomson  took  the  chair,  and  gave  out  the  43d  Psalm. 
Kev.  Mr.  Ross  read  several  requests  for  prayer,  after 
which,  the  Chairman  having  engaged  in  prayer,  it  speed- 
ily became  manifest  that  the  atmosphere  of  the  church 
was  such  as  the  ordinary  means  of  ventilation  could  not 


CLOSING  MEETINGS  IN  SCOTLAND.  199 

remedy,  so  densely  was  it  packed.  During  the  singing 
of  two  hymns — 'God  is  Love,'  and  'Jesus  paid  it  all' — 
arrangements  were  being  made  for  conducting  the  serv- 
ice in  the  open  air. 

"  To  the  great  relief  of  many  in  the  church,  and  to  the 
intense  delight  of  hundreds  outside,  Mr.  Moody  intimated 
that  the  remainder  of  the  service  would  be  conducted 
by  the  sea-shore  on  the  Esplanade.  Here,  in  a  few  min- 
utes, during  which  the  23d  and  part  of  the  17th  Psalms 
were  being  sung,  an  immense  throng  of  people,  number- 
ing not  fewer  than  three  thousand  persons,  had  assem- 
bled round  the  preacher.  After  a  short  prayer,  Mr. 
Moody  preached  from  Mark  xvi.,  15, 16.  For  fully  an 
hour  he  riveted  the  attention  of  his  large  audience,  nar- 
rative, metaphor,  parable,  illustration,  and  appeal  follow- 
ing each  other  in  quick  succession  and  agreeable  variety. 
Toward  the  close  of  the  service  the  scene  was  one  never 
to  be  forgotten.  The  firmament  was  cloudless,  and  myr- 
iads of  stars  shone  brilliantly  (for  by  this  time  night  had 
fully  set  in),  and  were  reflected  in  the  Bay,  beyond  which 
lay  the  Cowal  Hills,  dark  and  massive  in  the  distance.  Ev- 
ery now  and  again  the  houses  in  the  Gallowgate  and  the 
spire  of  the  West  Free  Church  were  lighted  up  by  flash- 
es of  sheet-lightning.  The  Esplanade  with  its  thousands 
was  in  front  of  the  preacher.  Deeply  impressed,  evident- 
ly, with  the  position,  the  scene,  and  the  circumstance  that 
he  was  addressing  probably  for  the  last  time  a  Scottish 
audience,  Mr.  Moody  concluded  a  discourse  which  for 
point  and  power  we  have  not  heard  on  any  former  oc- 
casion surpassed.  It  was  evident  the  Spirit  of  the  living 
God  blessed  the  truth,  for  when  the  intimation  was  given 
that  a  second  meeting  would  be  held  in  the  church  for 


200  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

prayer  and  further  explanation  of  the  way  of  life,  the 
building  was  very  speedily  well-nigh  filled. 

"An  inquiry-meeting  was  held  afterward  in  the  hall 
adjoining  the  church,  to  which  a  large  number  of  per- 
sons retired,  deeply  impressed  with  the  concerns  of  the 
soul.  The  night  of  Thursday,  the  3d  of  September, 
1874,  will  be  memorable  in  the  history  of  many  a  pre- 
cious soul,  and  multitudes  will  joyfully  echo  the  words 
of  the  Psalmist:  'The  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for 
us,  whereof  we  are  glad.' " 


THE  WORK  IN  IRELAND. 


I 

BELFAST. 

Since  the  great  revival  of  1859  Ireland  has  never 
been  so  deeply  and  extensively  moved  as  during  the 
visits  of  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey.  In  some  respects 
there  is  a  marked  contrast  between  the  two  awakenings. 
At  that  time  there  were  great  physical  excitement  and 
outward  signs,  such  as  loud  cries,  and  what  were  term- 
ed "  prostrations,"  indicating  inward  agony  of  spirit  and 
feelings  of  terror.  In  the  present  revival  the  Spirit  has 
been  pleased  to  move  more  silently,  and  touch  the  tender 
chords  of  the  heart.  From  "  the  sweet  hour  of  prayer" 
there  have  gone  forth  influences  gentle  as  the  summer 
breeze,  carrying  to  thousands  a  sense  of  the  love  of  Je- 
sus, and  of  the  attractions  of  the  heavenly  home.  The 
truth  has  been  given  in  the  words  and  songs  of  our  dear 
brethren,  baptized  with  their  tears,  and  palpitating  with 
their  heartfelt  interest  in  the  salvation  of  souls.  We  are 
tempted  to  express  our  personal  gratification  that  they 
are  American  brethren ;  but  they  now  belong  to  no  one 
country,  but  to  Grod.  Christendom  adopts  them,  and  all 
who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  pray  for  their  success. 
Through  them  America  salutes  Ireland,  expressing  the 

9* 


202  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

hope  that  all  her  sons  and  daughters  may  be  brought 
into  the  kingdom  of  God. 

On  Sunday  morning,  September  6th,  1874,  at  the  ear- 
ly hour  of  eight,  the  evangelists  commenced  their  labors 
in  Belfast,  and  continued  their  meetings  for  ten  weeks, 
chiefly  in  that  city,  Londonderry,  and  Dublin.  The 
same  encouragement  attended  every  meeting  ;  the  same 
blessed  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  followed  their  efforts 
that  had  marked  their  past  career.  The  largest  church- 
es in  Belfast  were  crowded,  and  at  the  open-air  meet- 
ings on  the  Sabbath  the  masses  were  computed  by  acres ; 
while  at  a  week-day  meeting  held  in  the  Botanic  Gar- 
dens, it  was  estimated  that  twenty -five  thousand  per- 
sons were  present.  In  gathering  in  the  harvests  in  the 
closing  meetings,  one  was  appointed  for  inquirers  and 
another  for  converts,  admission  being  given  by  tickets. 
It  is  stated  that  upward  of  two  thousand  four  hundred 
persons  were  thus  admitted  to  the  first  meeting,  and  that 
Mr.  Moody  was  most  deeply  moved  by  it,  as  we  shall  see 
in  the  narrative  to  be  given.  For  the  meeting  for  con- 
verts two  thousand  one  hundred  and  fifty  tickets  were 
given.  What  a  harvest,  and  so  soon  gathered  in  !  The 
details  of  the  work  are  given  in  most  of  the  leading 
British  religious  journals,  from  which  we  make  extracts. 

The  first  meeting,  September  6th,  was  exclusively  for 
Christian  workers,  and  long  before  the  hour  named  the 
chapel  was  crowded.  The  meeting  was  conducted  in  the 
usual  way  by  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey.  Mr.  Moody 
struck  the  key-note  of  entire  devotedness  and  unwea- 
ried labor  for  the  Lord  Jesus.  All  present  seemed,  in  si- 
lent prayer,  to  lay  themselves  upon  the  altar  afresh,  as 
living  sacrifices  to  the  service  of  God. 


BELFAST.  203 

The  second  meeting  was  advertised  to  meet  at  half- 
past  eleven  in  the  Fisherwiek  Place  spacious  church. 
The  desire  to  hear  had  crowded  the  church  long  before 
that  hour,  many  going  away  unable  to  obtain  admission. 
Mr.  Saukey  led  the  praise.  Mr.  Moody  chose  as  his  sub- 
ject, "  Love."  The  impression  upon  the  minds  of  mul- 
titudes was  very  deep.  Many,  we  feel  persuaded,  tasted 
in  fresh  power  of  the  love  of  God,  and  had  their  love 
drawn  out  toward  him. 

Still  a  third  meeting  remained,  advertised  to  be  held  at 
7  P.M.,  in  the  largest  church  in  Belfast,  capable  of  holding 
two  thousand.  It  is  considered  that  not  above  one-fourth 
of  the  people,  who  crowded  the  streets  around  the  build- 
ing, were  able  to  gain  admission.  During  the  service  there 
were  visible  signs  of  the  presence  and  power  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  At  the  second  meeting  many  anxious  sinners  re- 
mained for  conversation.  Not  a  few  professed  to  accept 
the  offered  gift  of  God  from  the  hand  of  his  only -begot- 
ten Son. 

The  daily  prayer-meeting  was  commenced  in  Dougall 
Street  Chapel  on  Monday,  at  twelve.  The  chapel  was 
so  overcrowded  that  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  adjourn 
next  day  to  a  more  capacious  building,  capable  of  hold- 
ing fourteeen  hundred  people.  This  "sweet  hour  of 
prayer  "  is  the  centre  of  the  whole  movement,  and  has 
already  proved  a  blessing  to  many.  On  Monday  even- 
ing the  evangelistic  meeting  was  held  in  Rosemary  Street 
Church.  It  was  a  most  blessed  and  fruitful  one ;  but  the 
crowd  was  so  great,  and  caused  such  inconvenience,  as  to 
induce  Mr.  Moody  to  alter  his  plans  somewhat,  and  dur- 
ing the  succeeding  days  of  the  week  he  has  held  a  meet- 
ing at  two  p.m.  exclusively  for  women,  in  Fisherwiek 


204  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

Place  Church,  and  a  meeting  in  the  evening  in  the  oth- 
er church  exclusively  for  men.  The  Lord  has  greatly 
blessed  the  arrangement.  The  meeting  at  two  o'clock 
for  women  has  been  crowded  each  day.  The  Spirit  of 
the  Lord  has  been  present  to  heal.  Each  day  increasing 
numbers  remain  to  be  spoken  to  about  their  souls,  and 
many  profess  to  have  entered  into  rest  through  faith  in 
Jesus. 

CROWDED  MEETINGS. 

The  work  has  had  a  good  commencement  in  Belfast. 
Numbers  thronged  to  the  churches,  so  much  so  that  the 
happy  plan  was  adopted  of  dividing  the  meetings,  and 
holding  gatherings  for  women  only  at  two  o'clock,  and 
for  men  at  eight  o'clock. 

On  Friday  (11th),  Mr.  Moody  addressed  both  meeetings, 
taking  for  his  text,  "  The  Son  of  man  is  come  to  seek 
and  to  save  that  which  was  lost."  With  great  power 
and  aptitude  he  proclaimed  the  Lord  Jesus  as  the  "  Seek- 
er;" and  very  touchingly  he  convinced  the  people  that 
he  was  now  seeking  each  individually,  seeking  to  save 
and  to  bless  them.  Mighty  faith,  then,  appears  to  be  the 
secret  of  Mr.  Moody's  power.  On  the  hearers  he  urges 
decision  now  to  accept  salvation  on  faith  in  Jesus  only. 
His  address  was  interspersed  with  telling  illustrations, 
which  came  right  home  to  every  heart.  He  rapidly  re- 
ferred to  the  parable  of  the  lost  sheep  and  lost  piece  of 
silver,  and  graphically  narrated  the  sudden  conversion 
of  Zaccheus,  unmistakably  evidenced  by  the  immediate 
fruit  of  the  Spirit  in  his  change  from  an  extortioner  to 
a  restitutor.  Mr.  Sankey's  very  sweet  solos  and  touching 
hymns,  accompanied  by  the  American  harmonium,  pro- 


BELFAST.  205 

duced  a  powerful  effect  in  deepening  the  impression  of 
the  Word. 

The  large  church  of  the  Eev.  H.  M.  Williamson,  which 
holds  two  thousand,  was  filled  with  women  of  all  classes; 
and  the  one  in  Rosemary  Street,  which  holds  fifteen  hun- 
dred, had  every  seat  occupied  with  men.  They  were 
mostly  shop-keepers  and  mechanics,  and  a  large  propor- 
tion such  as  do  not  regularly  attend  churches.  After 
the  evening  meeting,  the  Christians  were  invited  to  re- 
main and  pray  for  the  speakers  to  the  anxious ;  and  the 
inquirers  were  directed  to  side  apartments,  of  which  sev- 
eral were  filled  with  those  whom  the  Holy  Spirit  was 
convincing  of  sin,  and  of  the  need  of  a  Saviour. 

On  Saturday,  the  12th,  there  was  one  meeting  for  chil- 
dren, presided  over  by  Mr.  Sankey.  It  was  most  inter- 
esting, and  crowd'ed  with  earnest  and  thoughtful  j'oung 
faces. 

On  Sabbath,  the  13th  inst,  Mr.  Moody  held  a  meeting 
for  Christian  workers  at  the  early  hour  of  eight,  and  not- 
withstanding the  hour,  the  place  was  crowded,  so  much 
so,  that  the  overflow  filled  an  adjoining  room.  The  ad- 
dress was  touching  entire  consecration  to  God,  and  more 
whole-hearted  activity  in  his  service.  An  open-air  meet- 
ing was  advertised  for  half- past  two  o'clock.  It  was 
held  in  an  open  space,  in  the  midst  of  the  mill-workers 
of  the  town.  Few,  if  any,  of  the  thousands  who  attend- 
ed that  meeting  will  ever  forget  it.  Very  many  will  re- 
member it  with  joy  in  the  Father's  home  on  high.  The 
attendance  was  exceedingly  great,  estimated  variously  at 
from  ten  to  twenty  thousand!  The  weather  was  favor- 
able. Mr.  Moody's  address  was  founded  upon  Mark 
xvi.,  15,  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  Gos- 


206  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

pel  to  every  creature."  Mr.  Sankey  sung  "Jesus  of 
Nazareth  passeth  by."  While  be  was  singing,  I  could 
observe  in  the  glistening  eyes  and  the  deep  sighs  of  many 
around  where  I  stood  that  it  was  even  so. 

In  the  evening  Mr.  Moody  held  a  meeting  exclusively 
for  inquirers ;  no  others  were  admitted.  The  attendance 
exceeded  upward  of  three  hundred.  All  human  com- 
putation on  this  subject  must  be  very  indefinite ;  but 
when  we  consider  the  many  who  were  not  present,  as 
the  evening  service  was  held  at  the  same  hour  in  all  the 
churches,  and  add  also  the  numbers  at  inquiry-meetings 
held  in  many  of  the  churches,  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
shaking  among  the  dry  bones  has  been  already  very 
great;  in  Mr.  Moody's  judgment,  greater  than  during 
the  first  week  in  any  other  place. 

The  attendance  at  the  meetings  on  Monday,  14th, 
was  greater  than  before.  At  the  meeting  for  women  in 
Fisherwick  Place  there  were  present  about  fifteen  hun- 
dred, and  at  the  meeting  for  inquirers  a  marked  increase ; 
more,  indeed,  than  the  Christian  workers  present  could 
reach. 

As  time  advances  this  gracious  work  of  God  seems  to 
extend  and  deepen  rapidly.  On  Tuesday  the  experi- 
ment was  tried  of  holding  a  meeting  in  the  evening  ex- 
clusively for  women,  in  order  to  reach  the  workers  in 
mills  and  warehouses.  More  than  an  hour  before  the 
time  of  meeting  the  streets  around  were  packed  with  a 
dense  mass  of  women  ;  and  when  the  gates  were  opened 
the  place  was  filled  almost  in  a  moment,  and  after  that, 
with  the  overflow,  three  large  churches.  In  all  these 
meetings,  the  anxious  willing  to  be  spoken  to  were  more 
than  could  receive  attention.     We  have  reached  a  diffi- 


BELFAST.  207 

culty  of  an  unusual  character — an  inability  to  find  Chris- 
tian workers  in  sufficient  number,  who  are  willing  to 
point  the  seeking  sinner  to  the  Lamb  of  God. 

The  number  of  strangers  who  from  long  distances  vis- 
it Belfast  to  attend  the  midday  meetings  is  daily  increas- 
ing. In  this  way  the  work  is  already  extending,  and,  I 
trust,  will  cover  the  whole  island.  At  its  present  stage 
of  progress  the  most  marked  features  are  desire  to  hear 
the  Word  of  God,  willingness  to  be  spoken  to  upon  the 
state  of  the  soul,  frank  confession  on  the  part  of  many 
that  they  do  not  savingly  know  Jesus,  and,  most  blessed 
of  all,  the  equally  frank  confession  on  the  part  of  many 
that  they  have  "found  him  of  whom  Moses  in  the  law 
and  the  prophets  did  write,  Jesus  of  Nazareth." 

Last  night  (Thursday,  17th)  the  number  waiting  to  be 
spoken  to  was  so  great  that  an  attempt  to  speak  to  each 
individually  was  scarcely  made.  Two  or  three  addresses 
were  given  pointing  them  to  the  Lamb  of  God  for  sal- 
vation. 

PROGRESS  OF  THE  WORK. 

The  progress  of  the  work  of  God  in  Belfast  is  still  very 
encouraging.  God  continues  to  own  the  labors  of  these 
dear  brethren.  The  manifestations  of  the  Spirit's  pres- 
ence and  power  were  very  marked.  In  the  earlier  days 
of  the  movement,  of  the  many  who  were  deeply  con- 
vinced of  sin,  comparatively  few  seemed  to  come  to  rest 
and  faith  in  Jesus.  It  seemed  as  if  a  higher  tide  of  the 
Spirit's  power  were  needed  to  guide  them  through  the 
quicksands  of  difficulty,  and  over  the  bar  of  doubt  and 
distrust,  into  the  haven  of  rest. 

This  week,  we  thank  God,  it  is  otherwise.     We  can 


208  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

say  with  thanksgiving  concerning  many,  "  They  which 
have  believed  do  enter  into  rest." 

The  meeting  for  the  young  on  Saturday  (26th)  was 
very  striking.  Mr.  Moody  presided.  The  truth  seemed 
to  reach,  in  the  Spirit's  power,  many  young  hearts.  A 
meeting  for  boys  under  fifteen  has  been  organized. 
Some  of  the  cases  are  exceedingly  touching,  affording, 
I  conceive,  illustrations  of  the  work  of  God  upon  the 
human  heart  in  its  simplest  and  deepest  form.  This 
meeting  for  boys  assembles  every  evening  at  half- past 
seven. 

The  open-air  meeting  on  Sabbath  (27th)  was  held  in  a 
different  part  of  the  town ;  the  multitudes  assembling 
were  equally  as  great  (according  to  some  greater)  as  on 
the  past.  Sabbaths.  Mr.  Moody's  address  was  well  calcu- 
lated to  awaken  from  security,  and  draw  sinners  to  the 
one  refuge.  We  have  been  reaping  the  fruits  in  our  in- 
quiry-meetings during  the  week. 

On  Monday  Fisherwick  Place  Church  was  open  for 
inquirers  from  two  till  ten  o'clock.  Mr.  Moody  and 
other  Christian  workers  were  occupied  all  that  time  in 
pointing  sinners  to  the  Lamb  of  God.  It  is  impossible 
to  say,  how  many  wounded  spirits  were  conversed  with 
during  the  day. 

Though  more  privately  held,  I  must  not  omit  to  no- 
tice a  meeting  which  Mr.  Moody  had  on  Sabbath  night 
(27th),  with  men  who  profess  to  have  been  led  to  Je- 
sus since  these  special  meetings  began,  and  with  others 
anxiously  seeking.  I  saw  many  wonderful  meetings 
during  the  year  of  grace  (1859),  but  I  do  not  think  I  was 
ever  so  impressed  with  the  glory  and  beauty  of  the  work 
of  God  as  when  I  entered  this  meeting  toward  the  close 


BELFAST.  209 

of  it.  It  was  a  sight  which  would  have  drawn  tears 
of  joy  from  any  heart  to  see  upward  of  two  hundred 
young  men,  the  very  flower  of  our  youth,  one  after 
another  acknowledging  Jesus.  Passing  just  across  the 
street,  I  entered  May  Street  Church,  where  more  than  a 
thousand  men  were  assembled  to  hear  the  glad  tidings 
of  great  joy. 

In  order  that  as  many  as  possible  might  have  an  op- 
portunity of  hearing  the  Gospel  at  these  special  services, 
admission  on  Tuesday  night  was  by  tickets,  given  only 
to  such  as  had  not  hitherto  heard  Mr.  Moody.  About 
three  thousand  tickets  were  given  on  personal  applica- 
tion. It  was  a  season  to  be  remembered.  The  soil,  so 
to  speak,  was  virgin ;  the  attention  so  marked  as  to  be 
almost  painful  in  its  silence ;  the  presence  of  God  very 
powerful  in  the  consciousness  of  every  spiritual  mind. 
The  inquirers  at  the  close  of  the  meeting  were  spoken 
to,  as  far  as  they  could  be  overtaken,  in  adjacent 
churches,  to  which  the  men  and  women  were  sent  re- 
spectively. 

Sabbath  morning  (4th)  dawned  upon  us  very  wet  and 
windy.  We  had  fears  that  it  would  be  impossible  for 
the  masses  of  the  people  to  meet  in  the  open  air ;  but  a 
little  while  before  the  hour  of  meeting  the  rain  ceased, 
the  sun  shone  out,  and  the  weather  became  most  auspi- 
cious. Here  let  me  say  it  has  been  most  noteworthy  that, 
during  the  last  weeks,  while  we  have  had  most  inclement 
weather,  yet  every  Sabbath-day  and  at  the  hour  of  our 
great  gatherings  it  has  been  all  that  could  be  desired. 

The  number  in  attendance  was  fully  equal  to  that  of 
any  preceding  Sabbath.  It  may  give  some  idea  of  the 
multitude  to  state,  that  the  field  on  which  the  meeting 


210  THE  WOBK  OF  GOB  IN  GEE  AT  BRITAIN. 

was  held  contains  about  six  acres,  and  that  the  people 
stood  densely  packed  from  one  end  to  the  other.  There 
was  profound  solemnity.  The  impression  upon  the  hearts 
of  the  people  by  the  truth  in  the  power  of  the  Spirit  was 
very  deep. 

Mr.  Moody  held  his  usual  meeting  on  Sabbath  even- 
ing for  those  in  deep  distress  about  salvation,  and  for 
those  who  had  found  eternal  life  during  the  past  weeks, 
through  faith  in  Jesus.  The  meeting  was  exclusively 
for  men,  and  admission  solely  by  ticket.  The  hall  in 
which  it  was  held  was  completely  filled.  Mr.  Moody 
stated  in  the  noon-day  prayer-meeting  on  Monday  that, 
in  his  judgment,  it  was  the  most  remarkable  meeting  he 
has  had  yet  in  Europe.  To  God  be  all  the  praise !  One 
after  another  of  these  young  men — and  they  comprise  the 
very  flower  of  our  youth — rose,  and,  with  clearness  and 
wonderful  felicity  of  expression,  in  burning  words  de- 
clared what  God  had  done  for  his  soul.  At  length,  at 
nine  o'clock,  the  meeting  was  closed. 

Meanwhile  another  meeting  of  men  was  assembling 
in  a  church.  It  was  already  very  nearly  filled  when  we 
heard  the  tread  of  a  large  company  approaching.  It  was 
a  phalanx  of  these  redeemed  youths.  They  sung  the 
new  song.  In  a  spontaneous  burst  of  praise  they  were 
telling  forth  the  wonders  of  redeeming  love.  No  lan- 
guage can  describe  the  scene.  The  heavenly  echoes  of 
that  burst  of  praise,  I  think,  will  never  be  forgotten  by 
any  who  heard  it.  The  meeting  that  followed,  consist- 
ing of  some  two  thousand  men,  I  need  not  say,  was  one 
of  profound  interest — Jesus  in  the  midst,  and  the  march- 
ing glorious. 

During  each  day  of  this  week  and  at  every  gathering 


BELFAST.  211 

more  and  more  of  the  presence  of  the  God  of  salvation 
has  been  manifested.  Let  me  in  a  sentence  or  two  at- 
tempt to  describe  one  which  was  most  wonderful.  Mr. 
Moody  addressed  on  Monday  evening  in  Fisherwick 
Place  Church  a  meeting  of  men.  At  the  close  of  his 
address,  all  who  had  recently  been  found  by  the  Good 
Shepherd,  and  also  all  who  were  seeking  him,  were  re- 
quested to  retire  to  the  adjoining  lecture-room.  Some  six 
hundred  men  responded.  Mr.  Moody  again  sifted  them, 
by  requesting  that  those  only  who  were  deeply  anxious 
to  be  saved  should  adjourn  to  another  room.  Probably 
nearly  three  hundred  did  so.  In  breathless  stillness  Mr. 
Moody  addressed  them,  very  briefly  stating  that  he  could 
do  no  more  for  them — that  they  had  heard  the  Gospel,  and 
that  it  was  for  themselves  to  decide.  He  called  upon 
them  to  kneel  and  pray  for  themselves.  They  bowed 
as  one  man,  and  now  here  and  there  might  be  heard  the 
short  cry  for  mercy  —  a  few  earnest  words  of  supplica- 
tion ;  probably  about  thirty  or  forty  cried  to  God  one 
after  the  other.  "  Surely  the  Lord  is  in  this  place !"  was 
the  thought  wThich  rose  in  the  hearts  of  all. 

After  a  short  prayer  by  Mr.  Moody,  he  addressed  them 
very  faithfully.  He  again  held  forth  Christ,  and  invi- 
ted all  to  rise  who  felt  that  they  could  there  and  then 
accept  Jesus.  All  of  that  large  company,  save  twenty 
or  thirty,  stood  up,  and  solemnly  avouched  the  Lord  to 
be  their  God.  This  wonderful  sight  can  not  be  described. 
The  glory  of  it  can  not  be  realized,  even  by  those  best 
acquainted  with  divine  things.  If  there  is  joy  in  heav- 
en over  one  sinner  that  repenteth,  what  shall  we  say  of 
the  gladness  in  the  Father's  house  when  the  penitents  in 
companies  of  some  two  hundred  enter,  as  it  were,  at  once? 


212  THE  WORE  OF  GOD  LV  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

Thursday,  October  8th,  was  selected  for  a  gathering 
of  the  masses  in  the  open  air.  Many  had  fears  for  the 
weather,  but  much,  earnest  prayer  in  many  places  was 
offered  to  God  for-the  success  of  the  meeting.  God  did 
for  us  above  what  we  asked.  The  weather  was  splen- 
did; every  thing,  as  regards  order  and  decorum,  was  all 
that  any  of  us  could  wish.  It  was  the  largest  open-air 
meeting  I  had  ever  attended.  I  can  not  pretend  to  fix  a 
limit  to  the  numbers.  He  who  counts  the  stars  knew  the 
history  of  each  one  present,  and  what  were  the  dealings 
of  his  heart  with  Christ,  and  the  free  offer  of  his  salva- 
tion. The  only  regret  expressed  by  any  was  that  the 
services  were  so  short. 

Mr.  Moody  addressed  the  vast  multitude  from  the 
words,  "I  pray  thee  have  me  excused."  With  graphic 
felicity,  great  clearness,  and  soul-piercing  power,  he  ex- 
posed the  miserable  pretenses  by  which  sinners  impose 
upon  themselves,  in  refusing  an  offer  of  present  bless- 
edness. The  address  seemed  to  strike  with  convicting 
power  many  consciences,  and,  from  many  instances  com- 
ing under  my  own  observation,  I  have  reason  to  believe, 
in  salvation  power. 

THE    CROWNING  BLESSING. 

The  great  gathering  in  the  Botanic  Gardens  on  Octo- 
ber 8th  has  been  our  crowning  mercy  in  this  season  of 
blessing.  We  feel  as  if  every  prayer  had  been  heard 
and  every  heart  gratified  by  our  gracious  God.  As  the 
days  pass,  and  as  tidings  reach  us  from  the  country  dis- 
tricts all  around,  we  continually  hear  of  rich  blessings  be- 
stowed and  of  precious  fruits  following.  Many  carried 
with  them  to   their  homes  the  spark  of  renewed  life. 


BELFAST.  213 

That  spark  has,  in  some  cases,  already  kindled  into  a 
blaze.  We  receive  the  good  news  from  many  places 
of  great  readiness  to  hear  the  Word  of  God,  and  the  cry, 
"Come  over  and  help  us,"  reaches  us  from  many  quar- 
ters. 

Our  dear  American  brethren  left  us  on  Saturday  for 
Deny.  Tidings  have  reached  us  that  a  great  and  effect- 
ual door  was  opened  unto  them  in  that  city.  Meanwhile, 
in  Belfast  our  meetings  have  gone  on  as  usual.  The  in- 
terest in  divine  things  continues  unabated,  many  anx- 
iously seeking  Jesus,  and  many  finding  him  as  their 
refuge  and  portion.  In  the  young  men's  meeting,  held 
every  evening  at  nine,  the  work  of  God  makes  great 
progress.  Monday  night  was  especially  a  night  of  great 
power. 

Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  returned  from  Derry  this 
morning  (October  loth)  to  hold  their  final  meeting,  ere 
passing  on  to  Dublin.  Mr.  Moody  presided  at  the  noon- 
day prayer-meeting.  The  subject  was,  "Lessons  from 
the  Life  of  Jacob."  The  meeting  was  one  of  great  inter- 
est. The  meeting  in  the  evening  was  held  in  St.  Enoch's 
Church.  It  was  exclusively  for  sinners  under  anxiety 
of  soul,  who  professed  to  be  earnestly  seeking  Jesus.  Ad- 
mission was  by  tickets,  and  that,  moreover,  on  personal 
application. 

Eeaders  may  judge  of  the  depth  of  the  movement  and 
the  measure  of  awakening  power  upon  the  souls  of  men 
by  the  Spirit  of  God,  when  I  state  that  upward  of  two 
thousand  four  hundred  persons  were  so  admitted!  It 
was  Mr.  Moody's  last  appeal  in  Belfast  to  the  Christless. 
I  may  not  attempt  to  describe  the  scene !  He  set  before 
the  anxious,  sin-stricken  multitude,  Jesus  in  all  the  glory 


214     THE  WORK  OF  GOD  JN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

of  his  sufficiency  —  in  all  the  attractions  of  his  dying 
love.  He  showed  him  as,  with  one  foot  upon  the  thresh- 
old of  the  heart,  seeking  admission.  Now  in  faithful 
and  firm  words  he  warned  them  of  the  dangers  of  delay, 
and  then  he  gently  moved  them  in  tenderness,  as  one 
whom  his  mother  comforteth.  At  length  he  ceased 
speaking,  that  each  .might  hear  in  the  silence  the  voice 
of  Jesus  pleading  directly.  In  the  awful  stillness  of  that 
moment  many  of  that  great  company  of  seeking  sinners, 
I  trust,  were  able  to  say  in  words  expressive  of  soul 
submission,  "  Speak,  Lord,  for  thy  servant  heareth." 

I  think  it  must  have  been  the  most  notable  meeting 
in  the  experience  of  Mr.  Moody.  I  do  not  at  present  re- 
member to  have  read  of  any  such  meeting,  as  regards 
the  number  of  the  awakened,  in  modern  times.  Does  it 
not  seem  like  a  return  of  Pentecostal  power,  when  three 
thousand  were  similarly  smitten  with  soul  concern  ? 

October  17th. — Yesterday  was  the  concluding  day  of 
the  labors  of  our  beloved  brethren.  The  noonday 
prayer-meeting  was  crowded.  The  great  multitude  was 
moved  deeply  with  contending  feelings — of  joy  in  God 
and  gratitude  for  all  he  had  done,  for  so  many  of  them 
through  the  labors  of  his  servants;  of  sorrow  because 
they  should  see  their  faces  no  more  till  the  resurrection- 
morn.  The  meeting  commended  them  to  the  grace  of 
God,  beseeching  the  God  of  all  grace  to  bestow  a  fresh 
baptism  upon  them  of  power  for  their  work  in  Dublin. 

At  the  two  o'clock  meeting  in  Fisherwick  Place 
Church  Mr.  Moody  chose  as  his  subject,  "The  Gift  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  as  a  Baptism  of  Power  for  Witnessing  and 
Work."  As  he  spoke  of  power,  the  Spirit  of  might 
seemed  to  descend  upon  him. 


BELFAST.  215 

The  meeting  in  the  evening  was  for  the  young  con- 
verts, for  all  who  had  reason  to  believe  that  they  had 
found  Jesus  since  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  came  to 
Belfast.  Admission  was  strictly  by  ticket.  These  tick- 
ets were  only  given  on  personal  application.  About  two 
thousand  one  hundred  and  fifty  tickets  were  given ! 
What  a  rich  harvest — how  soon  gathered !  The  result 
of  some  five  weeks'  work !  We  have  good  reason  to 
believe  that  even  this  number  fell  very  far  short  of  the 
whole  number  who  profess  to  have  received  Jesus  as  the 
gift  of  God. 

It  was  a  soul-stirring  sight  to  see  that  vast  multitude, 
including  the  Christian  workers  and  ministers,  number- 
ing  more  than  three  thousand.  It  wras  like  the  sound 
of  many  waters  to  hear  this  multitude  sing  the  new  song. 
As  all  stood  and  sung  in  one  burst  of  praise, 

"O  happy  day,  that  fixed  my  choice 
On  thee,  my  Saviour  and  my  God ! " 

the  effect  was  overpowering,  filling  the  soul  with  a  sweet 
foretaste  of  the  praises  of  heaven. 

Mr.  Moody's  last  word  of  comfort  and  encouragement 
was  founded  on  Rom.  xiv.,  4,  "God  is  able  to  make  him 
stand."  He  closed  his  address  by  commending  all  the 
new-born  souls  "to  him  who  is  able  to  keep  you  from 
falling."  Hundreds  of  men  not  used  to  the  melting 
mood,  with  weeping  eyes  and  heaving  bosoms,  heard  him 
say,  as  he  concluded,  "  Good-night !  We  shall  meet  in 
the  morning  when  the  shadows  flee  away." 


216  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 


II. 

LONDONDERRY. 

Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  arrived  at  Londonderry 
from  Belfast  on  Saturday  evening,  and  commenced  their 
labors  on  Sunday,  the  11th,  with  the  same  spirit  of  energy 
and  enthusiasm  which  had  carried  them  through  so  much 
in  Belfast.  Mr.  Moody  exhibited  little  trace  of  hard  work 
or  fatigue,  though  for  some  weeks  past  he  had  gone 
through  an  amount  of  mental  and  physical  toil  under 
which  many  men  would  have  completely  broken  down. 
There  were  the  same  freshness  and  vigor,  the  same  fer- 
tility of  illustration  and  pointed  application,  the  same 
earnestness  and  simplicity,  the  same  zeal  and  enthusiasm, 
and  the  same  intense  desire  to  win  souls  for  his  Master. 
Three  services  on  the  Sabbath,  and  the  same  number  on 
each  of  the  following  three  days  of  the  week,  with  in- 
quiry-meetings each  evening,  have  been  his  programme 
here,  and  he  never  seemed  to  fail  either  in  body  or  mind. 
He  appeared  conscious  of  the  shortness  of  his  visit,  and 
seemed  to  grow  more  earnest  in  consequence. 

While  Mr.  Moody  faithfully  presented  the  Gospel,  Mr. 
Sankey  was  no  less  faithful  in  his  lessons  in  song.  He 
was  so  admirably  assisted  by  a  local  choir  as  to  draw  a 
special  eulogium  from  Mr.  Moody  at  one  of  the  noon 
meetings.  He  said  he  had  heard  a  great  many  choirs 
assist  at  these  meetings,  but  he  had  never  yet  heard  one 
which  sung  so  sweetly  and  so  well  as  the  one  which  had 


LONDONDERRY.  217 

been  organized  to  assist  in  singing  the  praises  of  God  in 
Londonderry.  On  the  same  occasion  he  referred  to  the 
importance  of  the  Church  paying  greater  attention  to 
the  subject  of  praise.  Some  were  only  for  singing  the 
psalms,  but  he  thought  they  should  also  sing  "new- 
songs."  A  new  hymn  was  just  as  good  as  a  sermon. 
They  could  sing  the  Gospel  into  many  a  man's  heart. 
He  hoped  the  Church  would  feel  alive  to  its  duty  in  this 
matter  of  praise,  and  not  be  hindered  by  prejudice,  which 
is  the  twin  sister  of  unbelief. 

The  opening  meeting  was  intended  for  Christian  work- 
ers, and  Mr.  Moody  dwelt  especially  on  the  subject  of 
Christian  work,  and  gave  some  earnest  and  practical 
counsel.  On  the  same  day  two  meetings  were  held  in 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  one  at  four  and  the  other 
at  eight  o'clock.  The  ordinary  congregational  services 
were  conducted  in  the  church  at  twelve  o'clock,  without, 
of  course,  any  instrumental  accompaniment  in  the  praise. 
At  both  special  services  the  church  was  crowded  to 
overflowing,  and  the  gates  had  to  be  closed  half  an  hour 
before  the  commencement  of  the  service. 

On  Monday,  Tuesday,  and  Wednesday,  three  services 
were  held  each  day,  including  one  children's  service. 
Owing  to  the  heavy  rain  on  Monday,  the  church  was 
not  so  well  filled  as  on  the  other  days,  when  the  congre- 
gations were  very  large ;  but  on  each  evening  fully  two 
thousand  found  accommodation  in  the  church,  filling  it 
from  floor  to  ceiling,  while  the  hundreds  unable  to  gain 
admittance  went  to  the  Wesleyan  Chapel,  where  they 
were  suitably  addressed.  The  concluding  meeting  on 
Wednesday  evening  was  especially  large,  and  the  serv- 
ices particularly  solemn. 

10 


218  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

With  regard  to  the  audiences,  they  were  thorough- 
ly representative.  Young  and  old  of  all  classes,  not 
only  of  the  inhabitants  of  Deny,  but  of  the  surround- 
ing districts,  for  miles,  attended.  Excursion  trains  on 
the  Irish  North-western  Kailway  and  Northern  Counties 
Railway  brought  many  into  the  town,  while  hundreds 
walked  and  drove  many  miles,  in  order  to  be  present  at 
the  meetings.  The  attendance  steadily  increased  to  the 
close,  and  as  the  last  of  the  services  approached,  there 
seemed  to  be  a  general  expression  of  regret  on  the  part 
of  all  interested.  A  noticeable  incident  in  connection 
with  the  meetings,  was  the  large  number  of  clergymen 
who  were  present  at  them. 

The  prevailing  characteristic  of  all  the  meetings  was 
intense  earnestness  and  solemnity,  without  any  undue 
excitement.  The  services  seemed  to  awaken  the  liveliest 
interest  in  the  public  mind,  and  to  produce  a  marked 
impression.  The  inquiry-meetings  after  the  first  night 
were  well  attended,  large  numbers  of  both  sexes  remain- 
ing for  conversation  and  prayer  with  Mr.  Moody  and  the 
Christian  workers  who  were  admitted  (by  ticket)  to  con- 
verse with  the  anxious.  In  this  respect  every  precau- 
tion was  taken  that  none  but  duly  qualified  persons 
should  be  admitted.  The  time  occupied  at  these  meet- 
ings was  brief,  but  the  addresses  and  conversations  ear- 
nest and  impressive.  The  upper  room  was  set  apart  for 
female  inquirers,  and  the  lower  school-room  for  males. 
These  meetings  are  described  by  those  who  were  present 
as  having  been  of  a  most  interesting  character. 

Arrangements  were  made  for  continuing  a  twelve 
o'clock  prayer-meeting,  and  a  meeting  at  eight  o'clock 
P.M.  daily. 


DUBLIN.  219 


III. 

DUBLIN. 

Our  brethren  tarried  in  this  city  from  October  24th 
to  November  29th,  a  month  of  the  same  spiritual  bless- 
ings, vast  assemblies,  waking-up  of  churches,  and  uprisings 
of  multitudes  seeking  Jesus  as  before.  The  clear  notes 
of  the  Gospel  trumpet  seemed  to  be  heard  in  every  street, 
lane,  house  and  shop,  factory  and  school,  in  the  city,  call- 
ing men,  women,  and  children  to  hasten  and  secure  the 
life  everlasting.  Every  wind  that  blew  seemed  to  bear 
over  the  city  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation.  Every  morn- 
ing sun  lighted  up  the  pathways  to  the  cross.  The  in- 
different were  aroused,  the  hardened  were  melted,  scoff- 
ers were  silenced.  Protestants  and  Catholics  mingled  in 
the  same  crowds,  and  pressed  forward  together  to  reach 
the  fountains  of  the  water  of  life.  Without  stopping  to 
give  details  in  chronological  order,  let  us  look  at  the 
grand  results. 

Eev.  J.  Gr.  Phillips  writes  in  the  Times  of  Blessing: 
"To  a  stranger  attending  one  of  the  services  of  these 
American  evangelists,  it  would  seem  as  if  they  were  ad- 
dressing a  Dublin  audience  for  the  first  time,  the  crowds 
are  so  great  and  the  interest  evinced  is  so  intense.  Day 
after  day  every  meeting  is  crowded.  Neither  time,  dis- 
tance, nor  weather  appears  to  have  much  effect  in  dimin- 
ishing the  number  of  those  who  attend.  On  Monday 
morning,  the  2d  inst,  as  the  rain  was  coming  down  very 


220  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  ORE  AT  BRITAIN. 

heavily  at  the  hour  for  the  noon  gathering,  and  had  been 
doing  so  for  some  time  previously,  I  thought  there  would 
be  but  a  very  small  attendance  at  the  prayer-  meeting ; 
but  when  I  got  there,  I  was  agreeably  disappointed. 
Last  night,  Friday,  the  attendance  at  the  Exhibition  Hall 
was  larger  than  I  have  seen  it  on  any  week-night  since 
these  meetings  began.  And  not  only  is  the  work  grow- 
ing broader,  but  I  believe  it  is  also  growing  deeper;  it 
is  becoming  a  more  personal  thing  with  many.  It  is 
not  simply  what  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  have  to  say ; 
but  it  is, '  What  have  Christ  and  Christianity  to  do  with 
meV  To  many  hearts  this  question  is  now  brought  home, 
and  many,  very  many  with  deep  earnestness  are  asking, 
1  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?' 

"  The  general  details  of  the  work  here  this  week  are 
the  same,  with  a  few  exceptions,  as  last  week.  Two 
meetings  on  Sabbath — one  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing for  Christian  workers,  Sabbath-school  teachers,  etc., 
and  another,  in  the  Exhibition  Palace,  at  four  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon ;  and  three  meetings  each  week-day,  except 
Saturday,  when  there  are  only  two — one  at  twelve  o'clock 
for  children,  and  the  other,  a  prayer-meeting,  at  half-past 
seven,  for  Christian  workers  alone.  On  Sabbath  evening 
last  there  was,  in  addition  to  all  these,  a  meeting  for  in- 
quirers at  half-past  eight  o'clock. 

"All  the  meetings  on  Sabbath  were  largely  attended. 
At  the  eight  o'clock  a.m.  meeting  for  workers  the  Metro- 
politan Hall  was  crowded.  Mr.  Moody  continued  his 
subject  of  the  previous  Sabbath  —  Requisites  for  those 
who  would  work  for  Christ — by  speaking  on  'Enthusi- 
asm,' which  he  said  was  the  fourth  Requisite.  He  cer- 
tainly appeared  to  be  most  enthusiastic  himself.     He  de- 


DUBLIN.  221 

livered  his  address  in  his  usual  earnest  manner,  and  il- 
lustrated his  various  points  by  some  most  striking  anec- 
dotes of  his  own  personal  experience.  The  effect  of  the 
meeting  was'good,  and  many,  if  not  all,  went  away  stirred 
up,  and  determined  to  be  not  half-hearted,  but  more  ener- 
getic and  enthusiastic  workers  in  the  Master's  vineyard. 

"  The  afternoon  meeting  was,  so  far  as  outwardly  ap- 
peared, most  successful.  The  crowd  was  immense. 
Long  before  the  hour  for  beginning  the  meeting,  hun- 
dreds were  going  away  unable  to  get  a  seat,  and  at  four 
o'clock  the  whole  vast  space  was  one  living  mass  of  hu- 
man beings.  It  was  sufficient  to  rouse  the  most  apathet- 
ic to  see  such  a  multitude  of  people  listening  with  the 
most  rapt  attention  to  that  which,  sent  to  their  hearts  by 
the  Holy  Spirit,  was  able  to  make  them  wise  to  salva- 
tion. There  was  not  the  least  jar  during  the  whole  serv- 
ice, which  was  most  impressive  and  solemnizing;  and 
Mr.  Moody's  address,  which  was  on  what  Christ  is  doing, 
and  what  he  offers  and  wants  to  be  to  us,  was  most  soul- 
stirring. 

"  The  inquirers'  meeting,  which  I  have  already  men- 
tioned, held  in  the  Metropolitan  Hall  at  half-past  eight 
o'clock,  was  a  most  interesting  one.  A  large  number 
were  present,  and  many  went  away  rejoicing  in  Christ. 

"The  meetings  of  Sabbath  were  an  index  to  those  of 
the  whole  week ;  for  from  the  prayer-meeting  at  noon 
on  Monday  to  the  children's  service  in  the  Exhibition 
Palace  at  noon  to-day,  Saturday,  all  the  meetings  were 
most  interesting,  solemnizing,  and  edifying,  and  were  all 
very  largely  attended.  The  interest  attaching  to  these 
meetings  is  not  confined  to  the  people  of  Dublin  and  its 
immediate   neighborhood.      Persons    are   coming  from 


222  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

some  of  the  most  southern  and  western  counties  of  our 
island  to  be  present  at  these  services.  I  myself  was 
speaking  at  one  of  them  to  a  man  who  had  brought  his 
son,  a  boy  about  fourteen  years  of  age,  a  distance  of  one 
hundred  miles  for  this  sole  purpose.  And  when  these 
persons  go  back,  in  many  cases  they  go  not  unblessed, 
but  carry  gracious  sheaves  with  them,  and  thus  their 
own  neighborhood  comes  in  for  a  share  of  the  blessing 
which  is  now  falling  so  richly  on  Dublin. 

"On  Monday  and  Tuesday  last,  instead  of  the  Bible 
readings  at  two  o'clock,  there  were  meetings  for  in- 
quirers. The  body  of  the  Metropolitan  Hall  was  filled. 
These  meetings  were  in  addition  to  the  usual  inquiry- 
meetings  held  at  the  conclusion  of  the  service  every 
evening  in  the  Exhibition  Palace.  It  may  give  some 
idea  not  only  of  the  numbers  who  attend  the  meetings  in 
the  Exhibition  Palace  from  evening  to  evening,  but  also 
of  those  who  are  roused  to  think  of  their  souls,  when  I 
state  that  hundreds  of  inquirers  have  remained  to  be  con- 
versed with  every  evening  this  week.  And  the  numbers 
have  been  increasing  nightly.  Last  night,  Friday,  as 
soon  as  the  large  doors  between  the  hall  and  the  Marge 
concert-hall,'  where  the  inquiry-meetings  are  held,  were 
opened,  the  inquirers  came  flocking  in,  and  in  a  short 
time  the  room  was  almost  filled.  Of  course,  amidst  such 
a  number  of  people,  there  are  a  great  variety  of  experi- 
ences and  states  of  mind.  I  would  not  say  that  all  those 
who  make  their  way  to  the  inquiry-room  are  very  deep- 
ly convinced  of  sin  or  anxious  for  salvation ;  but  many 
of  them  are  most  desirous  and  most  terribly  in  earnest 
to  discover  the  way  of  salvation ;  and  many  who  go 
there  in  despair  depart  in  joy ;  while  many  more,  who 


DUBLIN.  223 

never  go  to  the  inquiry-meetings  at  all,  find  peace  and  a 
firm  resting-place  in  the  riven  side  of  the  Eock  of  Ages." 

FROM   AN   EPISCOPALIAN   MINISTER. 

"  We  have  never  before  seen  such  sights  in  Dublin  as 
we  have  seen  this  last  week,  night  after  night,  at  the  Ex- 
hibition Palace.  It  is  estimated  to  hold  ten  thousand 
persons.  Every  night  it  is  filled,  and  the  attention  and 
silence  are  wonderful.  One  feels  that  the  Spirit  of  God 
is  present,  and  that '  a  wave  of  prayer'  is  continually  go- 
ing up  to  the  throne  from  the  Lord's  people. 

"  The  second  week  of  this  visit  has  now  nearly  come 
to  a  close  ;  and  when  the  visits  of  kings  and  princes  have 
been  forgotten,  this  will  be  remembered  by  many,  even 
through  all  eternity,  for  the  Gospel  so  faithfully  preached 
by  Mr.  Moody,  and  so  sweetly  sung  by  Mr.  Sankey. 

"Thank  God,  every  day  reveals  a  growing  interest  on 
the  part  of  the  public  at  large  in  their  evangelistic  labors. 
Every  day  their  work  is  extending,  widening,  and  deep- 
ening. The  inhabitants  of  Dublin  are  becoming  alive  to 
the  fact  that  we  are  now  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  great 
'time  of  refreshing,'  and  that  our  gracious  God  is  work- 
ing powerfully  among  us  by  the  instrumentality  of  these 
his  honored  servants. 

Such  a  sight  has  never  before  been  witnessed  here  as 
may  now  be  seen  every  day — thousands  flocking  to  the 
prayer-meeting  and  the  Bible-meeting,  and  most  of  all  to 
the  evening  services  in  the  Great  Exhibition  Palace.  It 
is  a  sight  to  fill  the  heart  of  the  child  of  God  with  deep- 
est emotion  to  stand  upon  the  platform  erected  in  that 
building,  from  which  Mr.  Moody  preaches,  and  to  cast 
one's  eye  over  the  vast  concourse  of  people,  hanging  on 


224        '  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  JJV  GREAT  BRITA1K 

the  speaker's  lips,  as  in  burning  words  he  discourses  of 
life  arid  death,  heaven  and  hell,  'Jesus  and  his  love;' 
and  one  can  not  but  ask  the  question,  '  What  is  the  mag- 
ic power  which  draws  together  those  mighty  multitudes, 
and  holds  them  spell-bound?'  It  is  the  simple  lifting-up 
of  the  cross  of  Christ — the  holding  forth  the  Lord  Jesus 
before  the  eyes  of  the  people  in  all  the  glory  of  his  God- 
head, in  all  the  simplicity  of  his  manhood,  in  all  the  per- 
fection of  his  nature,  for  their  admiration,  for  their  ado- 
ration, and  for  their  acceptance. 

"As  an  Episcopalian  minister,  I  am  most  thankful  to 
see  so  many  of  the  dear  brethren  of  my  own  church,  as 
well  as  of  the  other  evangelical  churches,  attending  and 
taking  part  in  these  happy  services. 

"  One  dear  brother,  an  able  and  godly  minister,  stated 
a  day  or  two  ago  that,  by  attendance  at  these  services,  he 
seemed  to  have  'returned  to  the  freshness  of  his  spiritu- 
al youth.' 

"This  is  the  outline  of  the  past  week's  work  On 
Saturday  evening,  at  the  service  in  the  exhibition  build- 
ing, Mr.  Moody  entered  into  a  defense  of  his  custom  of 
holding  meetings  for  inquirers  after  each  service,  and 
proved,  in  answer  to  objectors,  that  he  had  abundant 
Scriptural  warrant  for  so  doing. 

"On  Sunday  morning,  at  eight  o'clock,  there  was  a 
meeting  for  prayer  of  the  workers  connected  with  this 
good  cause.  Mr.  Moody  addressed  them,  and  spoke  many 
kind  words  of  encouragement.  The  afternoon  service  in 
the  Exhibition  Palace  on  the  same  day  was  densely  crowd- 
ed, from  eight  to  ten  thousand  persons  being  present. 
Mr.  Moody  preached  a  stirring  sermon  from  Luke  iv., 
18.     The  whole  audience  seemed  deeply  affected  by  the 


DUBLIN.     '  225 

sermon,  as  also  by  that  touching  hymn, '  The  Ninety  and 
Nine.' 

"At  the  noon  prayer-meeting  on  Monday  at  the  Met- 
ropolitan Hall,  the  subject  was,  '  Work  for  Christ.'  Mr. 
Moody  gave  some  striking  instances  of  awakening  which 
came  under  his  own  observation  in  the  inquiry-room 
during  the  past  week.  The  Eev.  Dr.  Marrable  (Episco- 
palian) also  supplied  some  interesting  facts,  as  did  also 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Wilson,  president  of  the  Primitive  Wesley- 
an  Conference.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Craig  told  of  an  officer  of 
rank  and  position,  who  was  one  of  the  first  to  scale  the 
walls  of  Delhi,  and  who,  though  he  was  in  Scotland  dur- 
ing the  sojourn  there  of  the  American  evangelists,  yet 
never  attended  their  services,  but  who  was  induced  to  do 
so  here  last  week,  and  the  result  was  that  he  found  a  joy 
and  peace  in  his  soul  which  he  had  never  before  known. 
These  are  only  a  few  out  of  very  many  instances  that 
might  be  mentioned.     To  God  be  all  the  praise ! 

"All  the  services  have  been  largely  attended ;  indeed, 
the  numbers  seem  to  increase  from  day  to  day. 

"I  would  specially  call  the  attention  of  your  Dublin 
readers  to  the  Bible-reading  at  two  o'clock  each  day  in 
the  Metropolitan  Hall.  There  indeed  is  a  feast  of  fat 
things  prepared  for  them.  It  is  deeply  instructive  to  see 
the  '  things  new  and  old '  which  Mr.  Moody  draws  in  rich 
profusion  from  the  treasury  of  God's  Word.  May  God 
bless  him,  and  make  him  a  blessing  to  thousands  I" 

THE  BIBLE  A  QUIVER  OF  ARROWS. 

"  God  has  wonderfully  fitted  these  his  servants  for  the 
work  he  has  given  them  to  do.  It  is  to  be  feared  that 
there  is  a  want  of  directness,  if  not  of  earnestness,  in  our 

10* 


226     THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GEE  AT  BRITAIN. 

preaching.  Now  the  great  characteristics  of  Mr.  Moody's 
preaching,  as  Professor  Blaikie,  of  Edinburgh,  has  well 
expressed  it,  '  are  directness,  earnestness,  and  natural- 
ness,' or,  as  a  beloved  brother  in  Dublin  described  it, 
'  He  does  not  wait  for  the  end  of  his  sermon  to  make  the 
application,  but  the  Bible  in  his  hands  is  a  quiver,  and 
every  passage  to  which  he  refers  is  an  arrow,  which,  the 
Holy  Ghost  accompanying,  he  shoots  home  straight  to 
the  hearts  of  his  hearers.' 

11  The  use  of  the  inquiry-room.  I  am  aware  that  here 
I  am  treading  on  delicate  ground.  I  know  that  many 
ministers  and  others  either  object  entirely  to  the  inquiry- 
room,  or  are  uncertain  about  it.  I  had,  at  first,  the  same 
difficulties  myself;  but,  from  what  I  have  lately  seen,  I 
am  satisfied  it  is  of  great  importance  to  speak,  if  possible, 
with  each  anxious  inquirer  wThile  the  Gospel  is  still  ring- 
ing in  his  ears — while  his  heart  is  softened  and  his  con- 
science tender.  In  this  way  we  come  to  know  what  are 
those  doubts  and  fears  and  difficulties  which  are  keeping 
the  poor  sinner  from  Christ. 

11  The  Bible-reading  in  the  Metropolitan  Hall,  on  Fri- 
day, the  30th  ult,  was  conducted  by  Mr.  Moody.  It  was, 
as  usual,  densely  crowded.  The  subject  was  'Assurance,' 
and  he  showed  from  many  Scriptures  that  it  is  the  privi- 
lege of  the  child  of  God  to  know  that  he  is  passed  from 
death  unto  life,  that  he  hath  eternal  life  abiding  in  him. 

"At  the  exhibition  service  on  Sunday,  November  1st, 
the  crowds  were  enormous.  A  most  solemn  stillness 
pervaded  that  vast  audience  of  some  ten  thousand  souls 
as  the  preacher  gave  a  connected  and  most  graphic  ac- 
count of  the  history  of  our  blessed  Lord  from  the  hour 
of  his  betrayal  by  Judas  to  his  resurrection  and  ascen- 


DUBLIN.  927 

sion  to  the  Father's  right  hand.  And  he  dwelt  forcibly 
on  the  fact  that  Christians  do  not  worship  a  dead,  but  a 
living,  Christ,  one  who  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession 
for  sinners. 

"  On  Thursday  and  Friday,  at  the  Bible-reading,  Mr. 
Moody  spoke  upon  the  person,  work,  and  offices  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  He  strongly  urged  the  necessity  of  the 
Spirits  anointing  for  service  for  Christ  as  well  as  for  con- 
version, which  should  be  sought  for  by  continual  prayer. 

"  But  we  are  sadly  reminded  that  Messrs.  Moody  and 
Sankey  can  not  stay  always  with  us;  like  the  Master 
whom  they  serve,  they  must  visit  other  cities  also — Liv- 
erpool, Manchester,  etc.,  and  London.  If  my  words  could 
reach  the  ministers — especially  those  of  the  sister  Church 
of  England — laboring  in  those  great  cities,  I  would  ear- 
nestly bespeak  for  our  American  brethren  a  kindly  re- 
ception at  their  hands.  I  would  say,  'Lay  aside  all  prej- 
udice as  unjust  and  unwarranted.  Receive  them  cordi- 
ally. Trust  them.  Help  them  with  your  prayers  and 
hearty  co-operation.  They  are  men  of  God.  The  Spir- 
it of  God  rests  upon  them.  The  love  of  God  animates 
them.  They  go  to  help  you,  and  not  to  hinder  you,  in 
your  work;  not  to  make  proselytes  to  any  sect  or  de- 
nomination, but  to  gather  in  souls  to  Christ.'" 

ROMAN    CATHOLICS. 

"Our  Roman  Catholic  brethren,  as  a  rule,  have  acted 
a  noble  part.  They  have  been  respectful ;  and,  to  a  cer- 
tain extent,  sj^mpathizing.  In  this  week's  number  of  the 
Nation — an  organ  at  once  of  national  (as  it  is  called)  and 
ultramontane  principles  —  an  article  has  appeared,  en- 
titled '  Fair  Play !'  which  is  exceedingly  creditable,  and 


228  THE  WORK  OF  GOB  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

which  indicates  the  advent  of  a  new  day  in  Ireland.  The 
editor  informs  his  constituents  that  '  the  deadly  danger 
of  the  age  comes  upon  us  from  the  direction  of  Huxley 
and  Darwin  and  Tyndall,  rather  than  from  Moody  and 
Sankey.  Irish  Catholics  desire  to  see  Protestants  deep- 
ly imbued  with  religious  feeling,  rather  than  tinged  with 
rationalism  and  infidelity ;  and  as  long  as  the  religious 
services  of  our  Protestant  neighbors  are  honestly  direct- 
ed to  quickening  religious  thought  in  their  own  body, 
without  offering  aggressive  or  intentional  insult  to  us,  it 
is  our  duty  to  pay  the  homage  of  our  respect  to  their 
conscientious  convictions;  in  a  word,  to  do  as  ive  would 
be  done  hy.1  (The  italics  are  the  Nation's.)  It  would 
surely  be  a  bright  and  blessed  day  for  our  country,  if 
this  spirit  of  mutual  respect  and  toleration  were  every- 
where honestly  acted  out  among  us.  Mr.  Moody  never 
makes  controversial  reference  to  others.  His  success  in 
attracting  the  favorable  attention  of  our  brethren  of  a 
different  faith  has  been  unexampled  in  the  history  of  our 
city. 

"One  very  marked  feature  in  the  movement  is  the 
number  of  men  that  are  influenced.  Many  people  have 
remarked  the  large  proportion  of  them  that  are  inquir- 
ing. 

"A  few  nights  ago  an  old  gentleman,  more  than  sev- 
enty years  of  age,  threw  himself  down  on  his  knees  and 
sobbed  like  a  child.  He  said,  'I  was  utterly  careless 
about  my  soul  till  last  night,  but  I  have  been  so  unhap- 
py since,  I  could  not  sleep.  I  seemed  to  hear  ringing  in 
my  ears,  "Jesus  of  Nazareth  is  passing  by,"  and  if  I 
don't  get  saved  now,  I  never  shall  be.' 

"Already  the  influence  of  this  work  has  begun  to  tell 


DUBLIN.  229 

upon  the  most  remote  districts  of  the  country.  Parties 
of  thirty,  fifty,  sixty,  etc.,  are  being  organized  from  the 
most  distant  parts  to  Dublin.  Many  of  these  carryback 
with  them  much  blessing.  We  hear  of  the  young  con- 
verts witnessing  for  Christ  fearlessly  in  the  trains  on  their 
way  home  from  their  meetings.  'The  Lord  hath  done 
great  things  for  us,  whereof  we  are  glad.'  But  we  expect 
greater  things  still.  The  memory  of  these  blessed  meet- 
ings in  the  Metropolitan  Hall  and  the  Exhibition  build- 
ing will  ever  be  fragrant  in  our  hearts.  I  do  not  think 
we  had  ever  such  an  antepast  of  heaven."  " 

GENERAL  IMPRESSIONS. 

"A  third  week  has  in  no  way  diminished  the  attend- 
ance. Instead  of  lesser  numbers,  additional  seats  for 
nearly  a  thousand  have  been  provided  in  the  Exhibition 
Palace,  and  even  the  passages  in  the  Metropolitan  Hall 
are  now  thronged.  Once  or  twice  the  quietness  prevail- 
ing has  been  slightly  broken ;  but  it  is  marvelous  that 
when  so  many  must  stand,  and  even  then  perhaps  not 
hear,  the  stillness  is  so  deep.  There  are  some  who  do 
not  miss  a  meeting ;  but  the  evening  audience  is  a  very 
shifting  one,  and  the  faces  are  always  changing.  The 
number  who  have  heard  the  Gospel  at  this  time  must, 
therefore,  be  enormous.  Indeed  there  are  scarcely  any 
that  one  meets  who  either  have  not  been  at  the  meet- 
ings, or  who  are  not  planning  to  go.  In  tram  cars,  om- 
nibuses, railway  carriages,  the  services  are  a  subject  of 
universal  conversation,  and  of  universal  interest.  The 
visitors  from  the  country  are  always  on  the  increase. 
The  other  day  some  people  in  a  small  Southern  country 
town  organized  an  excursion  party  of  thirty,  and  a  sec- 


230  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

ond  of  sixty  has  been  organized  since  in  the  same  place. 
Christians  come  two  hundred  miles  to  rejoice  and  help 
in  what  is  done.  A  gentleman  came  seventy  miles, 
found  the  Saviour,  went  back  to  his  family,  and  now 
they  are  all  here. 

"Some  of  the  abandoned  have  stolen  in,  and  many 
drunkards  have  been  brought  by  their  friends.  The 
motley  character  of  the  evening  crowd  is  striking ;  ev- 
ery section  of  the  population  is  represented,  even  to  the 
outcast;  and  surprises  are  constantly  felt  as  one  and 
another  are  recognized  of  the  most  unlikely  to  be  there. 
Two  Roman  Catholic  servants  noticed,  not  far  from  them, 
faces  with  which  they  were  curiously  familiar.  The 
men  were  disguised,  but  it  did  not  need  much  penetra- 
tion to  discover  the  two  priests  who  had  confessed  them. 
The  other  night  a  Eoman  Catholic  clergyman,  hymn- 
book  in  hand,  was  among  the  most  earnest  of  the  wor- 
shipers. Another,  who  was  asked  by  one  of  his  peo- 
ple if  it  were  wrong  to  go,  is  said  to  have  replied  that 
there  could  be  no  harm  in  hearing  about  Jesus.  The  re- 
porter of  a  paper  unfriendly  to  the  movement  is  among 
those  whom  that  movement  has  carried  toward  Christ. 
There  is  not  an  evening  that  Roman  Catholics  as  well  as 
Protestants  have  not  found  their  way  to  the  inquiry- 
room.  Probably  one  reason  is  that  there  is  no  denun- 
ciation. Men  are  not  addressed  as  by  their  particular 
Church,  but  as  sinners.  Roman  Catholics  are  not  even 
mentioned  by  name  at  the  evangelistic  service;  and  feel- 
ing no  hurt,  and  not  having  opposition  forced  upon  them, 
those  who  go  once  are  pretty  sure  to  return. 

"  Here,  as  elsewhere,  several  of  the  hymns  sung  by 
Mr.  Sankey  alone  have  been  wonderfully  blessed.     An 


DUBLIN.  231 

old  man  of  seventy  came  into  the  inquiry-room  in  tears, 
saying  he  had  found  no  rest  since  he  heard  'Jesus  of 
Nazareth  passeth  by.'  A  cabman  the  other  evening 
asked  that  prayer  should  be  offered  for  himself  and  his 
comrades.  He  had  heard  the  first  sermon  in  the  Palace, 
and  the  same  hymn  had  made  him  uneasy  then,  and  he 
had  been  uneasy  ever  since. 

"  The  brotherly  unity  among  the  ministers  is  maintain- 
ed unbroken,  and  a  delightful  illustration  of  the  breadth 
of  this  unity  among  all  classes  was  given  at  a  public 
breakfast  this  week.  Nearly  two  hundred  accepted  the 
invitation  to  meet  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr.  Sankey;  and 
among  them  were  over  fifty  clergymen,  some  well-known 
noblemen  and  military  men,  and  many  of  the  principal 
citizens  of  Dublin  of  all  professions.  Two  hours  after 
breakfast  passed  only  too  quickly  in  brief  addresses  from 
representatives  of  almost  every  denomination,  bearing  a 
united  testimony  to  the  singular  good  that  had  been 
done,  and  expressing  a  united  resolve  to  carry  on  the 
work,  after  the  American  brethren  had  left,  in  the  same 
harmony  in  which  it  was  begun." 

CLOSING  SERVICES,  RESULTS,  ETC. 

"The  labors  of  the  evangelists  closed  with  a  three 
days'  convention,  which  was  attended  by  eight  hundred 
ministers  from  all  parts  of  Ireland,  besides  thousands  of 
the  general  public.  The  first  day  was  devoted  to  discus- 
sions on  the  following  topics:  'Praise  and  Thanksgiving,' 
'  How  are  the  Masses  to  be  reached  ?'  '  What  can  be 
done  to  promote  the  Lord's  Work  throughout  Ireland?' 
etc.  The  second  day  was  signalized  by  a  gathering  of 
over   two   thousand  converts,  to  whom  Mr.  Moody  ad- 


232  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIX. 

dressed  loving  counsels,  and  on  the  third  day  there  was 
another  gathering  of  the  ministers  in  Exhibition  Palace. 
Mutual  love  and  courtesy  marked  all  the  proceedings. 
Strangers  could  not  tell  to  what  body  of  Christians  many 
of  the  speakers  belonged. 

"Those  who  had  come  dreading  that,  after  all,  this 
movement  would  be  like  some  previous  one,  and  end 
in  secession,  and  the  weakening  instead  of  the  strength- 
ening of  Christians,  were  re-assured ;  and  the  majority 
of  the  ministers  who  had  not  heard  Mr.  Moody  speak  be- 
fore learned  something  of  the  power  he  wields,  "and  were 
forced  into  the  same  unity  as  those  who  had  been  fellow- 
laborers  from  the  beginning.  Indeed,  the  condition  of 
the  meeting  was  one  of  the  most  eager  and  responsive 
sympathy.  Every  chord  was  true,  and  vibrated  at  the 
lightest  touch.  Aged  ministers  bowed  their  gray  hairs, 
and  wept  at  times  with  joy.  A  minister  would  grasp 
the  hand  of  another  he  had  never  seen  before,  merely 
because  he  sat  beside  him.  One  might  sit,  at  first,  with 
a  look  of  wonder  and  almost  contempt,  but  further  on  in 
the  day  his  face  would  quiver  with  emotion.  Many  an 
eye  glistened  with  quiet  tears.  Now  for"  the  first  time 
in  the  meetings  the  excitement  would  not  be  controlled, 
but  broke  out  in  applause  that  even  the  self-recollection 
of  some,  and  the  cry  of  '  Hush !'  did  not  always  repress. 
In  truth,  the  atmosphere  was  electric,  though  there  was 
little  cloud  in  the  sky ;  and  without  any  sufficient  cause 
flashes  would  break  out,  soft  and  swift  and  pervading  as 
summer  lightning.  At  one  point  during  the  discussion 
of  Ireland,  the  central  subject  of  the  day,  and  when  Mr. 
Sankey,  seizing  the  opportunity  with  his  usual  tact,  sung 
'Hold  the  Fort'  alone,  and  the  vast  multitude,  the  min- 


DUBLIN.  233 

isters  leading,  lifted  up  the  chorus  in  a  mighty  shout,  the 
enthusiasm  was  overpowering  and  altogether  indescrib- 
able. Such  a  scene  was  never  witnessed  in  Ireland  be- 
fore, for  there  had  never  been  such  a  meeting.  It  was 
the  first  time  that  all  these  ministers  had  met  on  a  plat- 
form broader  than  their  churches,  gathering  close  to- 
gether round  their  common  Saviour ;  and  it  is  easy  to 
see  already  that  the  impression  on  the  country  is  very 
deep.  Four  of  the  daily  papers  devoted  long  reports  to 
the  meetings,  one  of  them  as  much  as  six  columns;  and 
not  only  is  the  news  thus  spread,  but  even  the  happy  de- 
vice by  which  the  committee  gave  the  clergymen  of  one 
communion  as  guests  to  the  members  of  another,  helps 
the  fusing  and  widens  the  catholicity.  It  was  a  time 
that  will  be  always  memorable  in  the  history  of  Ireland 
— that  many  hope  will  be  the  starting-point  of  an  Ire- 
land where  all  things  will  be  new. 


THE  WORK  IN  ENGLAND. 


MANCHESTER. 


"  Through  the  tender  mercy  of  our  God;  whereby  the  dayspring  from 
on  high  hath  visited  us.v — Luke  i.,  78. 

The  opening  of  spring  after  a  long  winter  is  not  so 
beautiful  and  refreshing  to  the  spirit  as  was  the  unfold- 
ing of  the  revival  in  Manchester.  The  rapid  clothing 
of  the  earth  with  spiritual  verdure;  the  sweet  fragrance 
wafted  on  every  breeze  from  the  gardens  of  the  Lord ; 
the  warmth  of  Christian  love  after  the  protracted  season 
of  coldness  ;  the  quickening  of  the  graces  of  the  soul,  af- 
ter the  tedious  reign  of  indifference ;  the  buds  of  prom- 
ise that  everywhere  appeared  in  the  beginning  of  the 
movement,  filled  many  with  hope  and  joy.  The  dear 
brethren  who  came,  after  walking  with  God,  through  so 
many  precious  awakenings,  and  moving  so  long  in  an  at- 
mosphere of  holiness,  were  most  cordially  received.  No 
demonstrations  were  made  to  flatter  their  pride.  There 
was  nothing  in  the  reception  given  them  like  what  ordi- 
narily characterizes  vast  assemblies  gathered  to  receive 
distinguished  men.  They  are  certainly  distinguished,  in 
the  strictest  and  highest  sense  of  the  term.  They  and 
their  work  are  looked   upon  with  wonder  by  millions 


MANCHESTER.  235 

of  the  most  enlightened  of  mankind.  But  they  are  re- 
ceived quietly  and  with  honors  that  are  given  to  Another. 
There  is  the  presence  of  a  Power  above,  inspiring  and 
guiding  them,  that  all  recognize.  The  thoughts  of  many 
go  beyond  the  guests  to  Him  who  sent  them.  Their  hearts 
are  full  of  praise,  but  it  is  rendered  unto  Him  who  hath 
loved  us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  pre- 
cious blood.  A  mighty  enthusiasm  is  quickly  kindled, 
but  it  flows  toward  God  and  the  Lamb. 

We  have  seen  dissolving  views,  where  the  central  pic- 
ture seemed  almost  lost  in  the  surrounding  halo  and  ex- 
quisite coloring.  So  here  the  human  forms  are  but 
faintly  delineated  amidst  the  divine  radiance. 

The  prevailing  feeling  is,  that  God  is  all  and  in  all. 
Even  with  the  eye  upon  the  favored  men,  the  impulse 
of  the  heart  is  to  "  praise  God,  from  whom  all  blessings 
flow."  What  a  pleasing  contrast  in  such  assemblies  to 
those  gathered  simply  to  do  honor  to  the  so-called  great  of 
this  world !  How  much  more  elevating  and  stirring  are 
these  !  Here  we  have  not  only  earth  but  heaven.  Here 
there  is  a  mingling  of  emotions  and  thoughts  with  those 
of  the  "  General  Assembly  and  Church  of  the  first-born  " 
above.  Angels  hover  over  and  encamp  around  the 
throngs,  and  minister  to  the  saints.  In  these  welcome 
meetings  there  is  more  of  heaven  than  earth.  Jesus  has 
called  them.  They  constitute  a  part  of  his  plans.  They 
are  for  his  purposes.  They  are  a  means,  and  not  simply 
an  end.  They  are  signs  of  the  times.  Wise  and  pru- 
dent are  they  who  discern  the  signs !  The  church  be- 
lieves in  a  "  Second  Coming."  From  this  great  religious 
movement  we  hear  the  voice  of  Jesus  saying  to  us, 
"  Watch  therefore,  for  ye  know  neither  the  day  nor  the 


236  THE  WORE  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

hour  wherein  the  Son  of  Man  cometh."  . .  .  ;'  What  I  say 
unto  you  I  say  unto  all,  Watch." 

However  various  the  theories  of  true  Christians  in  re- 
gard to  Christ's  second  coming,  one  thing  is  clear :  We 
are  under  the  most  solemn  obligations  to  watch  and  pray. 
And  as  this  great  awakening  widens  and  deepens,  these 
obligations  become  more  pressing.  Manchester  now 
sends  forth  her  appeals  to  all  Christendom. 

PREPARATIONS. 

"During  the  whole  of  last  week  the  General  Com- 
mittee was  busy  making  preparations  for  the  arrival  of 
Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey.  The  Oxford  Hall  was  got 
in  readiness,  and  various  committees  were  appointed  to 
the  details  necessary  in  beginning  an  entirely  new  move- 
ment; a  spirit  of  devout  earnestness  and  activity  has 
characterized  all  workers.  The  numbers  attending  the 
noon  prayer-meeting  greatly  increased,  and  the  praj^ers 
were  generally  marked  by  an  earnestness  and  direct- 
ness which  indicated  that  a  divine  power  pervaded  all 
hearts.  Perhaps  one  of  the  most  noteworthy  features 
from  the  beginning  has  been,  that  not  only  in  the  prayer- 
meeting,  but  also  in  all  the  committee-meetings,  there  has 
not  been  one  denominational  jar.  We  have  been  too 
much  in  earnest  about  our  own  spiritual  life  and  the 
progress  of  Christ's  kingdom,  to  think  of  minor  differ- 
ences. There  could  be  no  better  proof  of  the  great 
amount  of  preparation  made  for  the  movement  than  the 
eagerness  with  which  tickets  were  asked  for  all  the 
meetings.  Such  was  the  demand  for  admission  to  the 
united  communion,  that  it  was  found  necessary  to  pro- 
cure the  use  of  Koby  Chapel  in  addition  to  the  Wesley- 


MANCHESTER.  237 

an  Chapel,  Oldham  Road.  The  object  of  the  committee 
in  arranging  for  the  united  communion  was,  if  possible, 
to  give  depth  and  calmness  to  the  movement  at  its  very 
commencement;  and  it  was  felt  by  all  that  nothing 
could  more  surely  accomplish  it,  than  doing  this  in  re- 
membrance of  Christ.  The  two  chapels  selected  have 
for  many  years  been  centres  of  most  blessed  influences. 
Hallowed  memories  cling  to  them. 

"At  the  beginning  we  desire  to  offer  a  few  suggestions 
which  seem  to  us  important,  as  tending  to  secure  the  ef- 
fects desired.  While  the  conduct  of  the  work  is  safe  in 
the  hands  of  our  brethren,  they  depend  much  on  the 
spirit  of  their  helpers  and  of  the  Christian  public.  We 
venture  to  address  our  remarks  especially  to  these. 
And  we  would  earnestly  beg  that  it  be  kept  in  mind, 
as  of  prime  moment,  that  the  heart  and  living  centre  of 
the  whole  movement  is  in  the  daily  prayer-meeting.  If 
we  think  that  the  work  is  man's,  the  prayer-meeting  is 
useless.  If  we  believe  it  to  be  God's,  we  must  also  be- 
lieve that  the  prayer-meeting  is  all-important.  Its  effi- 
ciency will  measure  the  success  of  the  whole  movement. 
It  is  the  furnace  from  which  the  warmed  air  will  carry 
genial  warmth  through  it  all.  It  is  the  great  reservoir 
of  power,  which  will  be  distributed  by  shafts  and  belting 
over  the  whole  machinery.  Weakness  or  failure  there 
is  weakness  or  failure  everywhere.  We  trust,  then,  that 
from  the  very  first  that  meeting  will  be  regarded  as  the 
focus  of  the  whole.  And  we  trust  that  those  who  take 
part  in  it  will  remember  that  brevity  and  definiteness 
are  signs  of  true  desire;  and  that  the  hotter  the  iron, 
the  less  it  crackles — the  more  deep  and  all-pervading  our 
fervor,  the  less  tumultuous  its  expression." 


238  THE   WOKE  OF  GOD  IN  GEE  AT  BEITA1N. 

THE   FIRST   WEEK. 

"Our  dear  brethren  have  come  among  us  in  dark,  win- 
try weather,  but  there  has  been  no  gloom  or  coldness  in 
any  of  their  meetings,  nor  have  rain  or  fog  diminished 
the  crowds  that  flocked  to  hear  them.  They  have  evi- 
dently come  '  in  the  fullness  of  the  blessing  of  the  Gos- 
pel of  Christ,'  and  they  have  found  awaiting  them,  to  all 
appearance,  'a  people  prepared  for  the  Lord.' 

"The  first  week  of  the  meetings  has  been  full  of  good 
omen.  The  work  of  God  for  which  we  have  so  long 
prayed  and  waited  has  opened  with  power.  God  is  bend- 
ing in  blessing  over  the  city.  An  awakening  and  reviv- 
ing breath  from  heaven  has  for  some  time  been  felt  on 
the  face  of  the  churches.  For  months  past  strong  sup- 
plication has  gone  up  to  the  throne  from  the  noon  and 
other  prayer-meetings  in  various  parts  of  the  city ;  and 
the  churches  have  been  gradually  drawing  closer  togeth- 
er under  the  influence  of  the  hope  of  revival.  This  spir- 
it of  union  found  delightful  expression  in  the  commun- 
ion services  held  in  two  central  chapels  last  Saturday 
week.  Over  two  thousand  members  from  many  church- 
es gathered  around  the  Lord's  table,  to  enjoy  a  hallowed 
season  of  fellowship  with  each  other  and  with  the  Head 
of  the  Church.  The  heartfelt  greetings  between  breth- 
ren of  different  denominations  told  how  truly  the  bond 
of  union  in  Jesus  was  felt,  and  how  really  the  Church  of 
Christ  was  one,  though  varied  in  its  outward  aspect  to 
the  world. 

"On  Sunday  week,  notwithstanding  the  drenching 
rain,  the  Oxford  Hall  was  filled  with  Christian  workers 
at  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  hundreds  were  un- 


MANCHESTER.  239 

able  to  gain  admission.  Mr.  Moody  delivered  an  inspir- 
ing address  on  '  Courage,  Perseverance,  and  Love,'  as  the 
three  requisites  of  all  workers  for  God.  'All  the  men 
whom  God  used  in  Scripture  times  were  courageous  men. 
God  could  not  use  a  man  destitute  of  courage.  When 
Elijah  fell  into  despondency  under  the  juniper-tree,  God 
had  to  find  another  man  ;  Noah,  worked  for  one  hundred 
and  twenty  years  without  seeing  results,  and  yet  never 
got  discouraged.  We  are  to  be  sure  God  calls  us  to  the 
work.  When  Moses  went  out  to  deliver  hig  brethren  be- 
fore God  sent  him,  "  he  looked  this  way  and  that  way ;" 
but  a  man  whom  God  has  sent  never  needs  to  look  over 
his  shoulder;  straightforward  is  the  word  for  him.' 
Sharp,  graphic,  clinging  utterances  like  these  sparkled 
out  all  over  his  animating  address,  which  was  followed 
up  by  Mr.  Sankey  singing,  'Here  am  I ;  send  me.' 

"  The  afternoon  meetings  were  still  more  remarkable. 
The  incessant  rain  had  not  abated,  yet  the  overflow, 
after  the  filling  of  the  Oxford  Hall,  crowded  the  Free- 
Trade  Hall,  where  the  service  was  carried  on  by  various 
ministers  till  the  American  brethren  arrived  from  the 
other  gathering.  Mr.  Moody's  bright  and  practical  ex- 
position of  '  the  Gospel '  was  listened  to  with  lively  at- 
tention. A  mighty  interest  was  gathering,  which  broke 
forth  with  wonderful  power  on  the  following  evening. 
That  Monday  evening  meeting  in  the  Free  Trade  Hall 
will  live  long  in  the  memories  of  those  who  witnessed  it. 
None  could  withstand  the  conviction  that  the  Spirit  of 
God  was  operating  in  the  solemnized  assembly  as  they 
beheld,  under  the  influence  that  swayed  the  meeting 
during  Mr.  Moody's  appeals,  business  men,  one  after 
another,  rising  to  be  prayed  for.     The  address  had  been 


2-10  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

growing  in  earnestness ;  the  speaker  seemed  to  come 
into  contact  with  the  souls  of  the  people  before  him. 
He  requested  any  who  wished  to  be  prayed  for  to  rise. 
He  quietly  repeated  the.  invitation.  One  was  seen  to 
stand  in  the  left-hand  gallery  and  cover  his  face  with  his 
hands ;  another  in  the  area.  Mr.  Moody  said  solemnly, 
1  There  is  one  risen ;  thank  God  for  that !  Another ; 
and  another.  Christians,  keep  on  praying.  Another! 
Jesus  is  passing  by.  You  may  never  have  such  an  op- 
portunity again.  You  may  never  again  have  so  many 
Christians  praying  for  you.'  Before  many  minutes 
people  were  standing  in  all  parts  of  the  hall,  amidst  deep 
silence,  broken  only  by  a  hushed  response  at  each  new 
appeal  for  continued  prayer.  At  the  close  of  the  meet- 
ing the  anxious  ones  were  invited  into  the  inquiry- 
rooms,  where  Mr.  Moody  conversed  with  them  individ- 
ually. He  said  afterward  that  it  was  the  best  meeting 
he  had  known  on  the  second  day  of  a  series.  The 
crowds  unable  to  obtain  access  to  the  Free  Trade  Hall 
filled  the  Oxford  Hall,  where  a  solemn  service  was  con- 
ducted by  the  Eev.  W.  R  Murray.  Mr.  Sankey  came 
from  the  larger  gathering  to  speak  a  few  words,  and  to 
sing  'Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by.' 

"The  evenings  of  "Tuesday,  Wednesday,  and  Thurs- 
day were  devoted  to  meetings  for  men  in  the  Oxford 
Hall.  Being  obliged  to  attend  the  other  meetings,  the 
writer  was  present  only  on  the  latter  occasion.  The 
clear  exposition  of  God's  way  of  salvation  by  faith,  and 
not  by  works,  illustrated  and  enforced  by  an  admirable 
and  telling  use  of  Scripture  and  by  graphic  and  pathet- 
ic story,  wonderfully  moved  the  great  throng  of  men. 
Many  shook  with  uncontrollable  emotion,  and  much  oc- 


MANCHESTER  241 

casion  for  delightful  labor  was  found  in  the  inquiry- 
room.  A  man  with  whom  the  writer  conversed  rose 
from  his  knees,  where  he  had  committed  'his  whole 
self  to  Christ,  and  said,  'I  came  from  Bolton  to-day. 
I  did  not  think  I  should  find  Christ.'  A  brother  minis- 
ter brought-  up  another  young  convert.  It  was  this 
man's  nephew  who  had  just  found  peace.  The  two 
greeted  each  other  with  joyful  surprise. 

"Afternoon  meetings  for  women  have  been  held  in  the 
Rev.  A.  M'Laren's  chapel,  Oxford  Road.  It  is  strange 
to  observe  them  thronging  the  road  on  their  way  to  the 
chapel,  and  still  more  strange  to  see  them  occupying  all 
the  available  standing-room  in  the  spacious  building. 
Not  less  than  two  thousand  women  were  present  on 
Tuesday  afternoon.  These  meetings,  like  all  the  rest, 
increase  in  power  as  they  proceed,  and  on  Thursday, 
when  Mr.  Moody  entered  the  lecture  hall,  he  found  it 
filled  with  weeping,  kneeling  inquirers.  Many  left  with 
the  joy  of  pardon  on  their  spirits. 

"The  noon  prayer- meeting  has,  with  one  exception, 
been  held  in  the  Free  Trade  Hall,  with  an  attendance 
of  from  two  to  three  thousand.  In  these  meetings  may 
be  found  the  soul  of  the  movement.  It  is  the  daily 
united  cry  to  God  which  brings  upon  the  city  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  for  conviction  and  conversion.  •  On 
Thursday,  dealing  with  the  objection  that  this  work  is 
not  of  God,  Mr.  Moody  said,  c  What  do  these  noon 
prayer-meetings  mean?  What  do  men  come  here  by 
hundreds,  I  might  say  by  thousands,  to  pray  for?  A 
genuine  work  of  God.  And  will  he  give  us  a  counter- 
feit? If  we  ask  bread,  will  he  give  us  a  stone?  The 
Shunammite  fell  at  the  feet  of  Elisha,  and  said,  "As  the 

11 


242  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

Lord  thy  God  liveth  I  will  not  leave  thee."  She  was 
not  going  to  trust  in  that  old  staff,  nor  in  the  servant. 
She  would  trust  only  in  the  master;  and  well  it  was  for 
her,  or  she  would  never  have  got  back  her  child.  And 
the  prayer-meeting  clings  to  the  feet  of  God.  We  will 
not  have  the  staff;  we  will  not  trust  in  the  servants,  but 
only  in  the  Master  himself;  he  can  and  will  raise  the 
dead.'  In  this  conviction  we  -unfalteringly  concur. 
The  voice  of  the  Son  of  God  is  being  heard,  and  they 
that  hear  it  live.  In  his  majesty  Christ  is  saying,  'I 
am  the  resurrection  and  the  life;  he  that  believeth  in 
me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live ;'  and  the 
spiritual  resurrection  we  are  persuaded  will  go  on  till 
there  is  marshaled  for  God  an  exceeding  great  army  of 
the  living." 

MANCHESTER  ON  FIRE. 

"Manchester,  I  rejoice  to  say,  is  now  on  fire.  The 
most  difficult  of  all  English  cities,  perhaps,  to  be  set  on 
fire  by  any  thing  but  politics  is  now  fairly  ablaze,  and  the 
flames  are  breaking  out  in  all  directions. 

"Yesterday  (December  6th)  the  Free  Trade  Hall,  with- 
in whose  walls  scenes  of  no  common  interest  and  excite- 
ment have  often  been  witnessed,  presented  a  spectacle 
such  as  those  who  beheld  it  will  not  easily  forget.  The 
Eev.  Dr.  M'Kerrow,  my  venerable  predecessor  in  the 
ministry,  assured  me  that  he  had  seen  no  such  sight, 
even  in  the  most  excited  political  times,  during  the  for- 
ty-seven years  of  his  life  in  Manchester,  as  that  which 
he  saw  there  on  Sunday  afternoon. 

"The  building  was  densely  crowded.  Not  an  inch  of 
standing-room  was  unoccupied.      Long  before  the  ap- 


MANCHESTER.  243 

pointed  hour  "hundreds  found  it  impossible  to  gain  ad- 
mission. And  *Mr.  Moody — in  what  terms  shall  I  de- 
scribe his  address?  Theological  critics  might  have  said 
there  was  nothing  in  it;  but  only  eternity  will  reveal 
how  much  there  came  out  of  it.  I  should  not  be  sur- 
prised if  hundreds  of  conversions  should  result  from  that 
single  mighty  appeal.  Taking  for  his  text  the  first  ques- 
tion addressed  to  them,  '  Where  art  thou  ?'  he  brought 
it  home  to  the  bosom  of  every  hearer  with  a  power  and 
pathos  that  were  simply  irresistible.  Having  referred  to 
the  case  of  a  young  man  who  had  cried  out  in  the  in- 
quiry-room on  Friday  night,  'Oh,  mother,  I  am  com- 
ing!' the  young  man  himself  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  ex- 
claimed, in  tones  of  impassioned  earnestness,  'That  was 
me!'  The  effect  was  electrical.  Not  an  eye  but  was 
suffused  with  tears.  The  whole  vast  assembly  was  im- 
pressed with  a  profound  sense  of  the  presence  and  power 
of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

"  The  meeting  for  young  men  in  the  evening  was  equal- 
ly wonderful,  no  fewer  than  seventy-one  having  remain- 
ed behind  as  anxious  inquirers,  not  a  few  of  whom  went 
home  rejoicing  in  the  peace  of  God  that  passeth  under- 
standing. 

"There  is  only  one  sentiment,  I  feel  convinced,  in  the 
hearts  of  all  God's  children  in  this  vast  community  in 
regard  to  this  great  work,  and  that  is,  a  sentiment  of  de- 
vout thankfulness  to  our  Heavenly  Father  that  he  has 
sent  among  us  two  such  men,  full  of  faith  and  power, 
and  yet  eminent  for  humility  and  lowliness  of  mind. 
'  The  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for  us,  whereof  we 
are  glad.' 

December  2d. — "  The  meetings  of  that  memorable  Lord's 


244  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

day  gave  a  tone  of  solemnity  and  a  character  of  power 
to  all  the  meetings  of  the  week.  The  tide  rose  steadily, 
day  by  day,  until  it  became  full,  overflowing  the  bank  in 
all  directions — a  very  spring-tide  of  blessing;  and  only 
eternity  will  reveal  how  many  immortals  are  now  launch- 
ing out  upon  its  waters  in  the  bark  of  a  simple  trust  in 
the  Son  of  God. 

"The  evenings  of  Monday  and  Tuesday  in  the  Free 
Trade  Hall  will  long  be  remembered  by  the  thousands 
who  were  present.  Mr.  Moody  delivered  his  famous  dis- 
courses on  Heaven.  Much  as  we  have  read  and  heard 
of  the  fervor  and  unction  that  characterize  them,  we 
were  not  prepared  to  find  these  apostolic  qualities  in  so 
superlative  a  degree  as  that  which  marked  them  on  this 
occasion.  The  second  was  especially  interesting  and  de- 
lightful, treating  as  it  did  of  the  society  and  the  treasure 
of  heaven  ;  and  the  contrast  drawn  by  the  preacher  be- 
tween these  and  the  treasures  and  society  of  this  world 
seemed  to  strike  the  minds  of  the  vast  audience  with 
all  the  force  of  a  revelation,  constraining  many  a  heart, 
doubtless,  to  resolve  to  seek  henceforward  'the  things 
that  are  above.'  The  appeal  with  which  it  closed,  for 
power  and  pathos,  exceeded,  in  our  judgment,  any  thing 
that  he  himself  has  uttered. 

"And  then  the  discourse  on  Hell,  on  the  evening  of 
Wednesday,  coming  as  it  did  immediately  after  the  ad- 
dresses on  Heaven,  was  certainly  one  of  the  most  solemn 
and  impressive  utterances  that  have  been  heard  within 
those  walls.  Every  eye  was  riveted  on  the  speaker. 
The  projected  shadow  of  the  great  white  throne  seemed 
to  fall  and  rest  upon  every  countenance.  Even  the  fer- 
vent exclamations  in  which  some  of  our  friends  indulge 


MANCHESTER.  245 

at  religious  meetings,  and  which  had  been  just  a  little  too 
fervent  the  night  previous,  were  hushed,  and  scarcely  a 
sound  broke  the  awful  stillness  with  which  for  nearly  an 
hour  the  people  listened  to  the  oft-repeated  charge,  like 
so  many  claps  of  thunder,  'Son,  remember!'  In  by- 
gone revivals  such  heart- smiting,  conscience -stirring, 
soul-firing  words  as  those  which  poured  from  the  preach- 
er's lips  would  have  caused  hundreds  to  start  to  their 
feet,  and  cry  out  with  frenzy,  *  God  be  merciful  to  me  a 
sinner!'  But,  in  harmony  with  the  prevailing  character 
of  this  awakening,  the  conviction  of  sin  produced  on  that 
occasion  seemed  to  be  too  deep  and  too  sacred  to  find 
expression  in  mere  excited  exclamations  or  physical 
prostrations,  and  were  known  only  to  Him  who  seeth  in 
secret!  God  was  in  the  midst  of  us,  of  a  truth.  The 
Holy  Spirit  came,  as  of  old,  with  the  force  as  of  a  rush- 
ing mighty  wind,  and  filled  all  the  place  where  we  were 
sitting.  The  powers  of  the  world  to  come  were  brought 
nigh  to  every  conscience  in  a  manner  never  to  be  forgot- 
ten. We  seemed  to  be  looking  across  the  gulf  that  di- 
vides time  from  eternity,  and  beholding  the  torments  of 
the  self-destroyed  victims  of  a  broken  law  and  a  rejected 
Gospel.  No  wonder  that  the  inquiry-room  was  full  that 
night  of  inquirers  of  the  most  anxious  description,  and 
that  the  after-meeting,  over  which  we  presided,  was  larger 
and  more  earnest  than  any  that  had  yet  taken  place. 
Doubtless  the  heavens  blossomed  into  song  overhead, 
and  the  angels  of  God  rejoiced  over  many  souls  turning 
unto  the  living  God  ! 

"  On  Thursday,  Mr.  Moody  was,  for  the  first  time,  ab- 
sent, having  gone  to  London  to  visit  his  friends.  The 
noon  prayer-meeting  was   uncommonly  well  attended, 


246  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

considering  the  murky  atmosphere  which  wrapped  our 
city  ;  but  we  missed  the  ringing  voice  and  hearty  appeals 
of  our  friend.  In  the  evening  a  very  large  audience  as- 
sembled in  the  Oxford  Hall,  to  hear  addresses  from  the 
Rev.  W.  H.  Aitken,  M.  A.,  and  the  Rev.  Alex.  M'Auley, 
of  Liverpool,  both  of  whom  spoke  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  hold  their  hearers  spell-bound  for  upward  of  an  hour. 
On  Friday,  Mr.  Moody  returned,  and  in  the  afternoon 
gave  the  second  of  his  deeply-interesting  and  most  in- 
structive Bible-readings,  which  have  been  so  highly  ap- 
preciated wherever  he  has  been.  The  subject  was  'Con- 
fessing Christ.'  Passage  after  passage  of  Scripture  was 
quoted  and  illustrated,  all  bearing  directly  upon  this  pri- 
mordial duty,  until  one  felt  that  by  no  possibility  could 
a  single  undecided  hearer  present  justify,  on  Scriptural 
grounds  at  least,  his  remaining  in  an  undecided  state  for 
another  hour  longer. 

"On  the  evening  of  this  day,  despite  the  inclemency 
of  the  weather,  the  Free  Trade  Hall  was  again  crowded 
with  an  audience  composed  of  persons  on  whose  faces  one 
could  easily  read  their  preparedness  to  hear  the  word  of 
the  Lord.  Taking  for  his  subject  the  parable  of  the 
marriage-feast,  the  preacher  dealt  with  the  excuses  com- 
monly urged  by  those  who,  in  reality,  '  will  not  come 
to  Christ  that  they  may  have  life.'  One  excuse  after 
another  was  considered,  and  shown  to  be  a  refuge  of  lies, 
to  be  swept  away  hereafter,  if  not  here,  by  the  storm  of 
God's  righteous  judgments.  The  word  of  the  Lord  in 
the  hand  of  the  evangelist  was  as  a  two-edged  sword, 
piercing  to  the  dividing  asunder  of  soul  and  spirit,  and 
of  the  joints  and  marrow,  and  proving  a  discerner  of  the 
thoughts  and  intents  of  the  heart.     A  more  searching 


MANCHESTER.  247 

analysis  of  the  state  of  a  human  soul  in  vain  seeking  to 
excuse  itself  from  accepting  the  invitation  of  the  King 
of  Heaven,  and  coming  to  the  Gospel  feast,  it  has  never 
been  our  fortune  to  hear.  The  thought  and  the  prayer 
were  uppermost  in  our  mind,  '  Every  refuge  of  man's 
invention  has  been  exposed  and  demolished.  Oh,  that 
sinners  may  now  flee  for  refuge  to  the  hope  set  before 
them !'  God  be  thanked,  many  did  flee  to  that  hope  on 
Friday  night!" 

THIED   WEEK. 

"The  religious  movement  in  Manchester  is  making 
wonderful  progress.  The  meetings  are  more  crowded 
than  ever,  and  most  fruitful  in  the  salvation  of  many 
souls. 

"The  movement  originated  by  Mr.  Eadcliffe,  of  Liver- 
pool, for  the  house-to-house  visitation  of  the  whole  of 
Manchester  and  Sal  ford  has  been  heartily  taken  up,  and 
is  likely  to  be  productive  of  great  results.  Cards  have 
been  printed,  with  a  short  appeal  written  by  Mr.  Moody 
on  the  one  side,  and  that  beautiful  hymn,  to  which  so 
many  owe  their  conversion,  'Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth 
by,'  printed  on  the  other  side. 

"The  main  idea  of  this  work  is  not  so  much  to  get  the 
people  out  to  the  evangelistic  meetings,  as  to  carry  the 
Gospel  into  every  house.  Those  undertaking  the  work 
are  sent  out  two  by  two,  and  are  exhorted  to  begin  their 
work  by  prayer,  and  carry  it  on  in  prayer  and  faith." 

The  American  Messenger  says :  "  It  may  be  that  to  some 
quiet,  sedate,  phlegmatic  Christians  the  craving  desire  ut- 
tered by  Mr.  Moody  on  leaving  America  '  for  ten  thou- 
sand souls  for  Jesus,'  savored  of  enthusiasm  if  not  of 


248  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

presumption.  It  was  an  inspiring  motive  that  impelled 
him  to  the  attempt.  It  was  an  ambition  worthy  of  an 
apostle.  And  now  in  the  retrospect  of  those  eventful 
months  during  which  he  and  his  associate,  Mr.  Sankey, 
have  prayed  and  sung  and  spoken  throughout  Britain 
for  the  one  great  and  single  end  of  bringing  souls  to 
Christ,  it  no  longer  seems  a  daring  or  reprehensible  im- 
pulse that  led  him  to  the  consecration  of  his  earnest  pow- 
ers to  such  a  heavenly  purpose.  No  one  looking  at  the 
progress  and  results  of  these  continued  labors  can  doubt 
that  they  have  been  divinely  inspired  and  directed.  No 
human  foresight  could  have  anticipated  or  worldly  wis- 
dom secured  them.  And  no  one  more  than  the  simple- 
minded  instrument  whom  God  has  so  highly  honored 
has  more  deeply  felt  the  need,  or  more  constantly  sought 
the  special  baptism,  of  the  Holy  Spirit  for  the  special 
service  to  which  he  was  so  evidently  called." 

At  the  noonday  meeting,  held  on  Monday  in  the  Tree 
Trade  Hall,  Mr.  Moody  made  some  observations  on 
Praise.  He  read  passages  from  some  of  the  Psalms 
where  the  exhortation  "Praise  ye  the  Lord"  often  oc- 
curs, and  he  urged  the  importance  of  praise  if  we  would 
obtain  a  full  blessing. 

Eev.  Mr.  M'Gregor  mentioned  the  case  of  an  old  gen- 
tleman seventy  years  of  age,  who  had  been  seeking  Christ 
for  thirteen  years.  He  had  come  a  far  journey  in  order 
to  be  present  at  these  meetings.  Still  he  could  not  find 
peace.  Last  Friday  evening,  as  Mr.  Sankey  was  singing 
"The  Ninety  and  Nine,"  the  light  burst  in  upon  his 
soul:  "That's  me;  Jesus  has  been  seeking  me  all  these 
years,  wandering  upon  the  mountains."  He  accepted 
salvation  there  and  then,  and  found  peace  in  believing. 


MANCHESTER.  249 

The  case  of  a  lady  was  also  mentioned,  who  had  been 
given  over  to  the  world,  who  had  come  to  these  meet- 
ings simply  from  a  feeling  of  curiosity.  But  the  Lord 
arrested  her,  showed  her  herself  and  showed  her  himself, 
a  Saviour  mighty  to  save.  She  went  forth  from  this  hall 
last  Friday  night  full  of  great  joy.  "  Going  along  Ox- 
ford Street,"  she  says,  "I  could  not  refrain  from  singing 
aloud  for  joy." 

A  minister  from  York  testified  to  the  work  going  on 
there.  His  chapel  was  the  first  in  which  Mr.  Moody  had 
preached,  after  his  arrival,  sixteen  months  ago.  That 
very  night  a  number  of  persons  came  into  the  vestry, 
anxious  about  their  souls.  The  work  did  not  stop  when 
they  left.  No!  it  has  been  increasing  and  spreading 
ever  since.  There  have  been  meetings  all  over  the 
town,  all  that  time;  and  many  have  been  led  to  a  sav- 
ing knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Several  gentlemen  engaged  in  prayer. 

THE   EESCUE   OF  THE   LAMB. 

Mr.  Daniels,  from  Glasgow,  said:  "Some  one  in  the 
Glasgow  meetings  told  a  story  which  touched  me  very 
much.  Away  in  the  north  on  the  sea-coast,  a  sheep  and 
her  lamb  had  wandered  under  a  cliff,  nibbling  away  at 
the  green  grass  growing  at  the  foot.  Soon  the  tide  be- 
gan to  come  in,  the  water  in  a  short  time  surrounded 
them,  creeping  up  nearer  and  nearer,  and  ere  long  they 
must  have  been  drowned.  But  the  shepherd  saw  their 
danger,  and,  hastening  away  to  get  a  strong  rope  and 
some  men  to  help  him,  tied  the  rope  firmly  round  his 
body,  and  made  them  lower  him  over  the  brink  of  that 
cliff.     Down  he  went,  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  poor  lost 

11* 


250  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

sheep.  At  last  he  managed  to  get  a  firm  hold  of  the 
mother.  His  friends  quickly  pulled  him  up  with  it  to 
the  top  of  the  cliff.  'Now,'  he  said,  'I  must  go  down 
for  the  lamb.'  They  all  cried  out,  '  Oh,  never  mind  the 
lamb.'  'It's  only  a  lamb.'  Ilis  reply  was,  'I  must  save 
the  lamb.'  And  away  down  he  went  once  more.  The 
water  had  nearly  reached  and  overwhelmed  the  little 
creature;  but  with  a  vigorous  grasp  he  clasped  it  in  his 
arms,  and  bore  it  aloft  to  his  friends  in  triumph.  And 
what  joy  there  was  among  them  at  the  successful  rescue ! 

"  Dear  friends,  was  not  that  a  picture  of  the  loving 
eagerness  of  Christ  to  seek  and  save  the  lost  sheep  and 
lambs,  and  rescue  them  from  ruin?  Alas!  how  many 
people  practically  underestimate  the  importance  of  care- 
fully looking  after  the  welfare  of  the  lambs!  But  this 
was  not  the  way  of  Christ,  who  lovingly  said,  '  Suffer  lit- 
tle children*  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not ;  for 
of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God.'  And  again,  Christ's 
final  injunction  to  Peter  was,  'Feed  my  lambs;'  and  in 
prophecy  we  are  told  of  him,  '  He  shall  lead  his  flock  like 
a  shepherd,  and  carry  the  lambs  in  his  bosom.'  I  am 
looking  for  the  conversion  of  children  here." 

Mr.  Eeginald  Eadcliffe  said  :  "Are  you  aware  we  need 
a  thousand  Christians  to  enter  every  house  in  Manches- 
ter? We  have  got  some  of  Mr.  Sankey's  hymns,  and  a 
short  appeal  written  by  Mr.  Moody.  These  are  now  be- 
ing printed  on  little  slips;  they  will  be  ready  to-morrow 
morning.  Now,  who  will  go  out  to  scatter  them  broad- 
cast over  the  city?  We  want  to  have  five  hundred 
Christian  men  and  five  hundred  Christian  women  to  come 
forward  to  undertake  this  work.  To-morrow,  at  four 
o'clock,  at  the  close  of  the  Bible-reading,  we  will  be  pre- 


MANCHESTER.  251 

pared  with  some  of  these,  and  also  lists  of  the  districts  to 
be  visited.  We  mean  to  send  Out  the  visitors  two  and 
two,  brother  with  brother,  and  sister  with  sister ;  and  to 
allot  to  each  couple  a  small  district  to  visit. 

"It  is  desirable  that  this  wTork  be  done  at  once,  that 
these  appeals  should  be  all  out  this  week,  because  our 
American  brothers  will  soon  have  to  leave  us;  their  time 
is  short,  other  places  are  calling  for  them,  and  they  must 
be  going.  I  am  sure  we  have  all  enjoyed  their  visit  so 
much,  we  could  wish  for  it  a  second  time.  But  now,  to 
make  the  most  of  their  stay  here,  we  want  this  work  done 
at  once ;  not  only  for  the  sake  of  leaving  these  cards  in 
every  house  in  Manchester,  but  also  that  at  the  same  time 
a  loving  word  may  be  spoken  to  souls,  and  that  every- 
where Christ  may  be  preached.  If  they  will  not  or  can 
not  come  to  these  meetings  to  hear  the  Gospel,  let  us  go 
to  them  full  of  love  for  souls. 

"Let  us  remember  that  there  are  thousands  in  Man- 
chester who  could  not  possibly,  no  matter  how  willing 
they  are,  come  to  these  meeting's  at  the  Free  Trade  Hall. 
Helpless,  sick,  or  attending  the  sick,  or  from  business  or 
other  causes,  they  are  hindered  from  coming  here.  But 
we  can  and  we  must  go  to  them,  and  preach  the  Gospel, 
God's  perfect  gift  of  salvation.  Oh,  how  you  will  feel 
the  enjoyment,  the  pleasure  of  this  work  !  Even  while  I 
am  talking  to  you,  I  am  praying,  I  am  asking  the  Lord 
that  he  would  come  into  your  hearts,  that  he  may  in- 
cline your  hearts  to  the  work.  Oh  that  we  may  learn  to 
love  the  work  of  God,  and  go  out  among  our  fellow-citi- 
zens for  his  name's  sake — pleading  with  them,  in  the 
name  of  Jesus,  to  come  to  him!  Truly  the  harvest  is 
plenteous,  but  the  laborers  are  few." 


252  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

When  closing  the  meeting,  Mr.  Moody  observed  that 
he  must  arrange  for  some  meetings  for  children,  as  the  re- 
marks that  had  fallen  from  his  young  friend,  Mr.  Daniels, 
had  quite  stirred  him  up. 

At  the  afternoon  meeting,  Mr.  Moody  delivered  his 
noted  Bible  lecture,  to  an  immense  audience,  on  the 
"  Holy  Ghost,"  showing  that  the  Holy  Spirit  is  a  real 
person,  and  not  a  mere  influence;  and  that  his  work  is 
to  comfort,  to  give  liberty,  to  testify  of  Christ,  to  teach, 
particularly  teaching  us  how  to  pray,  and  filling  us  with 
love  and  power.  In  conclusion,  he  asked  that  all  in 
that  assembly  who  felt  their  need  of  the  Spirit,  and  wish- 
ed to  have  a  new  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  should 
stand  up.  It  was  a  solemn  sight,  such  as  is  seldom  wit- 
nessed, when  at  least  two-thirds  of  the  entire  audience 
stood  up,  including  all  the  ministers  on  the  platform. 
After  a  few  minutes  spent  in  silent  prayer,  Mr.  Moody 
poured  out  his  supplication  to  God  for  the  gift  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  on  behalf  of  himself  and  all  present. 

At  the  noon-day  meeting  on  Wednesday,  held  in  the 
Free  Trade  Hall,  Mr.  Moody  made  some  remarks  on  the 
opening  verses  of  the  fifty-fifth  chapter  of  Isaiah.  One  of 
the  first  and  greatest  needs  of  man  everj^where  is  water. 
Here  we  have  it  freely  and  fully  offered.  "Ho,  every 
one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters,  and  he  that 
hath  no  money;  come  ye,  buy,  and  eat;  yea,  come,  buy 
wine  and  milk  without  money  and  without  price."  How 
freely!  Ah!  some  wron't  have  it,  just  because  it  is  so 
free.  What  would  we  think  of  a  man  perishing  on  the 
wayside  from  thirst,  wrhen  water  was  offered  and  no 
money  asked  for  it,  if  the  dying  man  were  to  refuse  it? 
"  No,  I  won't  have  it — I  can't  pay  for  it."     You  would 


MANCHESTER.  253 

say  he  was  beside  himself.  Are  we  not  mad  if  we  refuse 
this  free  gift — salvation — because  we  can  not  pay  for  it? 

Mr.  Beith  said:  "My  heart  has  been  warmed  with  a 
great  joy  in  these  meetings  when  I  see  the  anxiety 
among  God's  own  people  for  more  of  his  Spirit.  And 
when  I  see  the  many  who  have  been  shaken  in  their 
sleep  roused  to  a  sense  of  their  lost,  perishing  condition, 
and  have  been  compelled  to  come  forward  crying  out, 
'What  must  I  do  to  be  saved?'  It  is  not  confined  to  one 
class  or  condition.  We  have  in  the  inquiry-room  old 
gray-haired  men,  young  men  and  women,  and,  blessed 
be  God !  we  have  also  children.  Let  me  tell  you  one 
case  of  a  little  girl,  who,  after  attending  one  of  these 
meetings,  went  home  in  great  distress  of  mind,  seeking 
peace,  and  desiring  to  be  directed  the  way  Zionward. 
She  was  asking, 'Will  Jesus  take  me  into  his  arms?' 
This  morning  she  is  enjoying  the  peace,  the  love  she 
was  so  longing  for,  and  is  now  '  safe  in  the  arms  of  Jesus.' 
He  is  waiting  here  to-day  for  you ;  he  is  stretching  forth 
his  loving  arms.  Won't  you  just  rest  yourself  on  him? 
Let  his  arms  encircle  you,  and  the  world  with  its  snares 
and  dangers  will  have  no  more  terrors  for  you." 

Rev.  Dr.  Garrett  (Episcopalian)  then  engaged  in  a  fer- 
vent prayer  that  the  Lord  would  visit  Manchester  with 
mighty  converting  power,  and  that  he  would  shake  it  to 
its  very  foundations,  and  bring  thousands  to  himself. 

MR.  MOODY   ON   DANIEL. 

The  subject  of  Mr.  Moody's  address  was  "Daniel." 
One  might  converse  for  an  hour  with  Mr.  Moody  with- 
out discovering  from  his  accent  that  he  was  from  the 
United  States.    But  it  is  unmistakable  when  he  preaches, 


254:  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

and  especially  in  the  colloquies  supposed  to  have  taken 
place  between  characters  in  the  Bible  and  elsewhere.  He 
began  his  discourse  this  morning  without  other  preface 
than  a  half  apology  for  selecting  a  subject  which,  it  might 
be  supposed,  every  body  knew  every  thing  about.  But, 
for  his  part,  he  liked  to  take  out  and  look  upon  the  pho- 
tographs of  old  friends  when  they  were  far  away,  and  he 
hoped  that  his  hearers  would  not  think  it  waste  of  time 
to  take  another  look  at  the  picture  of  Daniel.  There 
was  one  peculiarity  about  Daniel,  and  that  was  that  there 
was  nothing  against  his  character  to  be  found  all  through 
the  Bible.  Nowadays,  when  men  write  biographies, 
they  throw  what  they  call  the  veil  of  charity  over  the 
dark  spots  in  a  career.  But  when  God  writes  a  man's 
life,  he  puts  it  all  in.  So  it  happened  that  we  find  very 
few,  even  of  the  best  men  in  the  Bible,  without  their 
times  of  sin.  But  Daniel  came  out  spotless,  and  the 
preacher  attributed  his  exceptionally  bright  life  to  the 
power  of  saying  "  No." 

After  this  exordium  Mr.  Moody  proceeded  to  tell  in 
his  own  words  the  story  of  the  life  of  Daniel.  Listening 
to  him,  it  was  not  difficult  to  comprehend  the  secret  of 
his  great  power  over  the  masses.  Like  Bunyan,  he  has 
the  great  gift  of  being  able  to  realize  things  unseen,  and 
to  describe  his  vision  in  familiar  language  to  those  whom 
he  addresses.  I  am  afraid  his  notion  of  "  Babylon,  that 
great  city,"  would  barely  stand  the  test  of  historic  search. 
But  that  there  really  was  in  far-off  days  a  great  city  call- 
ed Babylon,  in  which  men  bustled  about,  ate  and  drank, 
schemed  and  plotted,  and  were  finally  overruled  by  the 
visible  hand  of  God,  he  made  as  clear  to  the  listening 
congregation  as  if  he  were  talking  about  Chicago.     He 


MANCHESTER.  255 

filled  the  lay  figures  with  life,  clothed  them  with  garments, 
and  then  made  them  talk  to  each  other  in  the  English 
language,  as  it  is  to-day  accented  in  some  of  the  Ameri- 
can States. 

The  story  of  Daniel  is  one  peculiarly  susceptible  of 
Mr.  Moody's  usual  method  of  treatment,  and  for  three- 
quarters  of  an  hour  he  kept  the  congregation  enthralled 
while  he  told  how  Daniel's  simple  faith  triumphed  over 
the  machinations  of  the  unbeliever.  Mr.  Moody's  style 
is  unlike  that  of  most  religious  revivalists.  He  neither 
shouts  nor  gesticulates,  and  mentioned  "  hell "  only  once, 
and  that  was  in  connection  with  the  life  the  drunkard 
makes  for  himself.  His*  manner  is  reflected  by  the  con- 
gregation, in  respect  of  abstention  from  working  them- 
selves up  into  "a  state."  But  this  makes  all  the  more 
impressive  the  signs  of  genuine  emotion  which  follow 
and  accompany  the  preacher's  utterance.  When  he  was 
picturing  the  scene  of  Daniel  translating  the  King's 
dream,  rapidly  repeating  Daniel's  account  of  the  dream, 
and  Nebuchadnezzar's  quick  and  delighted  ejaculation, 
"That's  so!"  "That's  it!"  as  he  recognized  the  incidents, 
I  fancy  it  was  not  without  difficulty  some  of  the  people, 
bending  forward,  and  listening  with  glistening  eye  and 
heightened  color,  refrained  from  clapping  their  hands 
for  glee  that  the  faithful  Daniel,  the  unyielding  servant 
of  God,  had  triumphed  over  tribulation,  and  had  walked 
out  of  prison  to  take  his  place  on  the  right  hand  of  the 
king.  There  was  not  much  exhortation  throughout  the 
discourse,  and  not  the  slightest  reference  to  any  disputed 
point  of  doctrine.  The  discourse  was  nothing  more  than 
a  retelling  of  the  story  of  Daniel.  But  while  Nebuchad- 
nezzar, Daniel,  Shadrach,  Meshach,  Abednego,  -Darius, 


256  THE   WORK   OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIX. 

and  even  the  one  hundred  and  twenty  princes,  became 
for  the  congregation  living  and  moving  beings,  all  the 
ends  of  the  narrative  were,  with  probably  unconscious, 
certainly  unbetrayed  art,  gathered  together  to  lead  up 
to  the  one  lesson,  that  compromise,  where  truth  and  re- 
ligion are  concerned,  is  never  worthy  of  those  who  pro- 
fess to  believe  God's  word. 

"  I  am  sick  of  the  shams  of  the  present  day,"  said  Mr. 
Moody,  bringing  his  discourse  to  a  sudden  close.  "I 
am  tired  of  the  way  men  parley  with  the  world  while 
they  are  holding  out  their  hands  to  be  lifted  into  heaven. 
If  we  are  going  to  be  good  Christians  and  God's  people, 
let  us  be  so  out  and  out." 

Last  night  I  heard  him  deliver  an  address  in  one  of 
the  densely  populated  districts  of  Salford.  Admission 
to  the  chapel  in  which  the  service  was  held  was  exclu- 
sively confined  to  women,  and,  notwithstanding  it  was 
Saturday  night,  there  were  at  least  a  thousand  sober- 
looking  and  respectably  -  dressed  women  present.  The 
subject  of  the  discussion  was  Christ's  conversation  with 
Nicodemus,  whose  social  position  Mr.  Moody  incident- 
ally made  recognizable  by  the  congregation  by  observ- 
ing that  "if  he  had  lived  in  these  days  he  would  have 
been  a  doctor  of  divinity — Nicodemus,  D.D.,  or  perhaps 
LL.D."  His  purpose  was  to  make  it  clear  that  men 
were  saved,  not  by  any  action  of  their  own,  but  simply 
by  faith.  This  he  illustrated,  among  other  ways,  by  in- 
troducing a  domestic  scene  from  the  life  of  the  children 
of  Israel  in  the  wilderness  at  the  time  the  brazen  serpent 
was  lifted  up.  The  dramatis  j^rsoncc  were  a  young  con- 
vert, a  skeptic,  and  the  skeptic's  mother.  The  convert, 
who  has  been  bitten  by  the  serpent,  and,  having  follow- 


MANCHESTER.  257 

ed  Moses's  injunction,  is  cured,  "comes  along,"  and  finds 
the  skeptic  lying  down,  "badly  bitten."  He  entreats  him 
to  look  upon  the  brazen  serpent  which  Moses  has  lifted 
up,  but  the  skeptic  has  no  faith  in  the  alleged  cure,  and 
refuses.  "Do  you  think,"  he  says,  "I'm  going  to  be 
saved  by  looking  at  a  brass  serpent  away  off  on  a  pole? 
No,  no."  "  Well,  I  don't  know,"  says  the  young  con- 
vert, "but  I  was  saved  that  way  myself.  Don't  you 
think  you'd  better  try  it?"  The  skeptic  refuses,  and  his 
mother  "  comes  along,"  and  observes,  "  Hadn't  you  bet- 
ter look  at  it,  my  boy  ?"  "  Well,  mother,  the  fact  is, 
that  if  I  could  understand  the  philosophy  of  it  I  would 
look  up  right  off;  but  I  don't  see  how  a  brass  serpent 
away  off  on  a  pole  can  cure  me."  And  so  he  dies  in  his 
unbelief. 

It  seemed  odd  to  hear  this  conversation  from  the 
wilderness  recited,  word  for  word,  in  the  American  ver- 
nacular, and  with  a  local  coloring  full  of  familiar  sugges- 
tions suggestive  of  the  skeptic,  the  young  convert,  and 
the  mother.  But  when  the  preacher  turned  aside,  and  in 
a  very  few  words  spoke  of  sons  who  would  not  hear  the 
counsel  of  Christian  mothers,  and  refused  to  "  look  up 
and  live,"  the  silent  tears  that  coursed  down  many  a  face 
in  the  congregation,  showed  that  his  homely  picture  had 
been  clear  to  the  eyes  before  which  it  was  held  up. 

HUNDREDS   OF   YOUNG  MEN   CONVERTED. 

Mr.  Henry  Drummond,  of  Edinburgh,  the  zealous  young 
student  who  has  been  so  eminently  blessed  in  conducting 
Young  Men's  meetings  in  Scotland  and  Ireland,  spoke  at 
the  Manchester  Free  Trade  Hall,  on  December  16th,  of 
that  extraordinary  work  of  grace  at  Dublin,  in  which  he 


258  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

bad  been  taking  an  active  part.  He  said:  "I  have  to 
tell  of  the  glorious  work  going  on  among  the  young 
men  of  Dublin.  I  have  just  arrived  from  that  city  this 
morning,  in  time  to  be  with  you.  But,  oh !  it  is  well 
worth  while  traveling  all  night  long  for  the  sake  of  be- 
ing in  such  an  earnest,  prayerful  meeting  as  you  have 
here  in  Manchester  to-day.  And  with  what  joy  I  can 
tell  you  of  the  many  hundreds  of  young  men  in  Dublin 
who  have  yielded  themselves  to  Jesus  Christ!  I  know 
personally  large  numbers  of  these  converts.  I  have  been 
among  them,  and  I  can  testify  that  theirs  is  no  mere 
evanescent  feeling,  but  truly  and  really  conversion  of 
the  heart.  They  are  not  content  with  personal  salvation 
for  themselves,  but  they  are  striving  to  win  others  to 
Christ.  The  spirit  of  Christian  usefulness  is  very  strong 
in  the  midst  of  them.  They  are  all  at  work  for  Jesus, 
and  for  the  salvation  of  poor  lost  souls. 

"  I  can  not  number  the  young  men  who  within  the  Inst 
month  have  been  brought  into  the  glorious  liberty  with 
which  Christ  makes  us  free.  Many  who  have  never  enter- 
ed the  inquiry-room,  nor  as  yet  made  an  open  profession 
of  the  great  change,  have  nevertheless  given  the  most  sat- 
isfactory evidence  of  their  conversion  by  entering  into 
the  work  of  the  Lord.  We  had  a  meeting  on  Monday 
night  at  which  we  appointed  deputations  to  go  all  over 
Ireland  to  tell  what  the  Lord  had  done  in  Dublin,  and  to 
seek  to  stir  up  other  places  to  pray  for  a  like  blessing. 

"  We  have  had,  since  Mr.  Moody  left,  as  many  as  twen- 
ty to  thirty  young  men  in  one  night  under  conviction  of 
sin,  and  seeking  pardon  and  peace.  Oh  !  young  men  of 
Manchester,  the  blessing  is  waiting  for  you.  Will  you 
have  it? 


MANCHESTER.  259 

11  Three  hundred  miles  away  from  this,  I  know  of 
many  fathers,  mothers,  and  sisters  who  have  relations 
here,  and  oh!  they  are  praying  for  Manchester.  The 
prayers  of  the  whole  country  are  ascending  to  God  for 
you.  Will  you  yourselves  seek  this  blessing?  and  when 
it  has  come  more  fully  than  even  during  the  past  few 
days,  will  you  put  your  hand  to  the  work  ?  Let  us  be 
up  and  doing,  and  join  in  the  battle  for  Christ  and  the 
promotion  of  his  cause." 

Mr.  Drummond's  testimony  to  the  continuance  of  the 
work  in  Manchester  is  of  the  same  character  as  that  given 
elsewhere. 

In  Belfast  the  revival  movement  is  deepening.  The 
noonday  and  evening  meetings  are  well  sustained.  In 
one  church  alone,  Eev.  John  White's  (author  of  the  "  Old 
Book  Tested"),  one  hundred  new  converts  partook  of  the 
communion  on  December  6th.  Many  of  the  parents 
wept  tears  of  joy  at  the  sight.  One  young  man  says 
that,  since  he  wa's  converted,  his  aged  father,  his  mother, 
his  sister,  his  brother-in-law,  have  all  been  brought  to 
Christ.  A  young  woman,  a  Roman  Catholic,  states  she 
has  been  saved  from  double  darkness — the  darkness  of 
Eomanism  and  the  darkness  of  sin.  Whole  families  are 
converted,  and  still  the  work  is  increasing  in  power.  In 
Dundee  a  body  of  young  men  have  united  for  the  pur- 
pose of  carrying  on  the  work  in  that  town.  Their 
plan  is  to  prepare  a  breakfast,  to  which  they  invite  all 
homeless  people  who  can  be  found  in  the  streets,  and, 
after  furnishing  them  with  coffee  and  other  resfresh- 
ments,  they  converse  with  them  in  a  friendly  way  about 
their  present  mode  of  living,  and  then  endeavor  to  lead 
them  to  Christ.     Again,  it  is  said  that  in  Belfast  a  num- 


260  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

ber  of  clerks  in  warehouses  and  offices — as  many  as  sev- 
enty from  a  single  establishment  —  have  formed  them- 
selves into  an  association,  and  devoted  themselves  to  the 
work  of  bringing  all  their  fellow-clerks  to  a  "  knowledge 
of  Jesus."  In  Liverpool  five  thousand  pounds  have  been 
raised  for  the  erection  of  a  temporary  edifice,  in  which 
Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  may  conduct  their  services 
when  they  visit  that  town.  This  money,  like  the  rest  of 
the  large  sums  required  to  meet  the  expenses  of  the  tour 
through  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  comes  from  unknown 
hands,  at  least  to  the  extent  that  it  is  privately  and  quiet- 
ly subscribed,  without  appeals  from  the  pulpit  or  the  pub- 
lication of  lists  of  donations  by  the  press. 

At  these  meetings  we  are  struck  with  the  distances 
which  brethren  come :  one  good  brother  was  from  Lon- 
don, another  from  Darlington,  another  from  Birmingham, 
another  from  Bristol.  The  London  brother  testified  to 
his  earnest  confidence  in  Mr.  Moody.  When  asked  in 
London  what  was  the  secret  of  Mr.  Moody's  marvelous 
success,  his  answer  was,  "Living  in  sight  of  heaven  and 
hell." 

FEOM  AN  ARMY  OFFICER. 

The  following  is  from  a  letter  addressed  to  an  English 
beneficed  clergyman  by  an  officer  in  the  army: 

"You  ask  me  about  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey.  My 
answer  is  an  eas}^  one — I  could  not  have  believed  it  pos- 
sible for  any  human  being  to  have  been  of  such  comfort 
to  me.  I  attended,  with  my  wife,  nearly  all  their  even- 
ing services.  My  military  duties  did  not  permit  of  my 
going  to  the  midday  services,  but  my  wife  attended  many 
of  them  as  well;  and  every  time  I  went  I  was  instruct- 


MANCHESTER.  261 

ed,  cheered,  and  strengthened.  It  was  not  man's  work  ; 
it  was  the  work  of  the  Spirit  of  God — nothing  short  of 
it;  and  did  you  but  witness  the  effect  of  his  preaching, 
you  would  agree  with  me  in  this.  You  would  see  from 
ten  to  fifteen  thousand  people  seated  for  two  and  a  half 
hours  on  forms  without  backs  or  any  support,  waiting 
for  the  service  to  begin,  in  order  to  secure  good  places. 
You  would  see  young  and  old  of  all  classes — the  shoeless 
child,  and  the  grimy  mechanic  fresh  from  his  labor — 
seated  by  the  rich,  and  reading  from  the  same  hymn- 
book.  There  were  poor  outcasts  from  their  sex,  who, 
whatever  their  motive  in  coming,  were  with  eye  and  ear 
attentive  to  him  who  preached,  or  him  who  made  ser- 
mons from  his  simple  hymns.  Under  the  power  of  his 
tuneful  voice  the  intended  sneer  or  laugh  was  changed 
to  tearful  eyes,  indicating  that  some  tender  chord  in  the 
heart  had  been  touched — ministers  of  all  denominations, 
without  exception,  joining  in  the  worship  and  praise  of 
our  common  Master;  working  together,  not  acting  as  if 
there  were  no  Saviour  outside  of  their  own  church  for- 
mulas, but  as  all  drawing  from  the  one  great  fountain. 
My  wife  herself  became  an  evangelist  in  her  own  way, 
by  bringing  every  one  she  could  influence  to  hear  the 
words  of  life;  yet  was  there  no  high-flown  or  ornate 
language,  no  nicely-rounded  periods,  no  striving  after  ef- 
fect: it  was  the  simple  message  preached  and  sung.  By 
all  means  attend  their  services.  You  will  be  built  up 
and  strengthened. 

"At  one  meeting  lately  eighteen  professed  to  have 
found  peace.  Oh,  to  see  so  many  young  men  bringing 
their  friends,  and  to  see  the  efforts  of  these  young  men 
to  win  souls  for  Christ!     A  good  number  go  about  dis- 


262  THE  WORK   OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

tributing  tracts,  and  many  have  gone  to  the  neighboring 
towns  with  the  good  news,  '  Repent  and  be  saved.' 

11  In  one  meeting,  a  boy  of  fourteen  rose  to  testify  what 
the  Lord  had  clone  for  him,  how  the  words,  'Believe 
on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  saved,'  had 
been  blessed  to  his  soul,  and  he  had  invited  his  father  to 
come  and  hear  the  same  glad  tidings.  He  was  a  poor 
drunkard,  and  was  filled  with  anxiety,  thinking  his  soul 
would  be  lost;  but  comforting  words  were  spoken  to 
him,  and  he  went  away  rejoicing  in  Christ.  Since  then 
he  has  brought  many  of  his  old  companions  with  him, 
and  they  have  brought  their  wives  and  children.  Ob,  to 
see  the  wives  of  those  poor  drunkards!  how  cheerful  they 
look  now,  because  their  husbands  are  changed !" 

The  writer  goes  on  to  say  that  young  boys  are  now 
making  themselves  useful  by  reading  the  Bible  aloud  in 
cottages  in  the  evenings,  wrhere  many  assemble  and  grate- 
fully listen  to  them. 

VARIOUS   INCIDENTS. 

"I  have  not  mentioned  the  remarkable  effect  produced 
by  Mr.  Moody's  words  on  Noah.  He  said  that  once, 
when  much  disheartened  himself,  and  cast  down  by  want 
of  success,  a  friend  incidentally  directed  his  attention  to 
the  character  of  Noah,  asking  him  if  he  had  ever  studied 
it.  In  compliance  with  his  request  that  he  would,  Mr. 
Moody  sat  down  to  read  the  chapters  in  Genesis,  but 
with  the  conviction  that  he  knew  'all  about  Noah.'  As 
he  read  on,  however,  he  became  deeply  impressed  with 
this  thought,  'Here  was  a  man  who  preached  for  more 
than  a  hundred  years  without  one  conversion  except  in 
his  own  family,  and  if  he  was  not  disheartened,  I  sure- 


MANCHESTER.  263 

]j  must  not  be.'  He  went  to  the  noon  prayer-meeting, 
and  found  some  hundreds  of  people  gathered,  and  he 
thought,  'Noah  never  saw  this  sight!'  He  heard  a 
man  behind  asking  a  Christian  brother  to  pray  for  his 
lost  soul,  and  he  thought,  'Noah  never  heard  that;'  and 
so  he  took  courage,  and  resolved  never  to  lose  heart 
again." 

The  following  incident  illustrates  the  power  of  this 
great  revival  over  the  entire  community  : 

"On  Saturday  evening,  at  the  Theatre  Royal,  the  enter- 
tainment was  in  its  best  features  essentially  a  children's 
pantomime.  But  at  some  point  described  as  '  immedi- 
ately before  the  transformation  scene'  a  'topical  song' 
was  introduced,  of  which  the  leading  actors  took  a  verse 
alternately.  It  was  an  imitation  of  a  popular  burlesque 
air,  '  He's  a  Fraud.'  A  Mr.  Cook,  in  performing  his  part, 
among  other  local  'hits,'  made  prominent  reference  to 
Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey,  beginning, 

'  We  know  that  Moody  and  Sankey 
Are  doing  some  good  in  their  way.' 

The  'hit'  created  a  perfect  storm.  A  part  of  the  au- 
dience cheered,  but  a  large  portion,  'especially  in  the 
dress  circle,'  hissed,  and  in  other  ways  manifested  strong- 
disapprobation.  The  fellow,  exasperated  at  finding  he 
had  given  offense,  again  defiantly  shouted  out  the  words. 
The  displeasure  then  became  so  strong  and  intense,  that 
those  taking  part  with  him  refused  to  proceed  further, 
and  he  was  obliged  to  leave  the  stage.  This  fact  shows 
how  the  ministry  of  the  two  brethren  has  affected  the 
general  public.  Nothing,  surely,  needs  to  be  added  in 
confirmation  of  this,  when  theatre-going  people  will  not 


264:  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

suffer  them  to  be  made  the  butt  of  ridicule  or  endure 
a  disrespectful  reference  to  them.  To-day's  paper  con- 
tains the  following:  'We  have  pleasure  in  noting  that 
the  reference  to  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  in  Mr. 
Cook's  topical  song,  which  gave  offense  on  the  production 
of  the  pantomime  on  Saturday,  was  not  repeated  last 
night.' 

''Passing  from  this  scene,  we  would  turn  to  anoth- 
er of  a  different  character.  The  bishop  of  the  diocese 
we  regard  as  a  hard-working,  honest,  and  withal  very 
communicative  man.  He  seems  to  tell  us  his  mind 
about  every  thing.  No  sooner  has  he  a  thought  than 
out  it  leaps,  or  a  bit  of  information  than  he  tells  us  it. 
We  all  like  the  bishop.  Even  those  who  differ  from 
him  hold  him  in  esteem  and  admiration.  Before  Mr. 
Moody  came,  he  gave  us  his  views,  not  of  Mr.  Moody, 
but  of  the  work  he  is  doing.  He  said  plainly  he  had 
no  sympathy  with  it,  and  that  it  is  contrary  to  the  gen- 
ius of  the  Church  of  England!  On  several  occasions 
he  warned  us  against  excitement,  and  informed  us  that 
this  age  does  not  require  emotional  ideas  and  services. 
He  exhorted  all  to  adhere  to  the  thoughtful,  sober  ways 
of  our  National  Church.  But  he  very  clearly  has,  after 
his  manner,  been  observing  facts,  and  allowing  them  their 
due  weight  upon  his  judgment.  For,  preaching  yester- 
day, in  a  neighboring  town,  he  is  reported  to  have  said  as 
follows:  'It  is  the  Church's  duty  to  continue  faithfully 
to  deliver  her  message,  although  she  has  greater  diffi- 
culties to  encounter  (than  those  he  had  enumerated)  in 
the  doubtings  of  modern  science,  or  rather  the  conjec- 
tures of  scientific  men,  which  are  not  based  on  actual 
proof.     Against  the  utterance  of  modern  philosophers  on 


MANCHESTER.  265 

the  Christian  religion  I  place  the  internal  evidences  of 
Christianity,  and  say  that  when  by  men's  words — the 
words  of  two  men  like  the  evangelists  now  in  Manches- 
ter— by  the  simple  declaration  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Je- 
sus—  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  are  induced  to 
come  and  listen  to  their  message,  it  does  not  seem  to  me 
that  Christ's  Gospel  has  no  witness  in  itself  and  no  re- 
sponse in  human  hearts.'  That  utterance  is  worthy  of 
Bishop  Frazer." 

THE  CLOSING  WEEK. 

"The  closing  week  has  been  the  most  joyful  of  all. 
The  tide  of  blessing,  which  has  been  steadily  rising,  has 
this  week  reached  its  flood;  the  earnestness  of  the 
preacher  and  the  eagerness  of  the  people  have  seemed 
alike  to  intensify,  and  the  unconverted  have  been  called 
to  take  refuge  in  Christ  with  a  vehemence  of  entreaty 
which  has  exerted  a  mighty  influence  on  the  assemblies. 
During  these  five  weeks  God  has  answered  the  prayers 
of  many  years,  and  we  can  not  but  feel  that  what  has 
been  going  on  in  the  city  has  made  Manchester  a  source 
of  joy  to  the  dwellers  in  heaven. 

"At  nine  on  Wednesday  evening,  about  two  thousand 
men  re-assembled  in  the  hall  to  hear  what  Mr.  Moody 
had  to  say  on  the  subject  of  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association.  Mr.  Spencer  occupied  the  chair,  and 
gave  a  brief  address,  intimating  that  it  was  in  con- 
templation to  buy  the  Museum  for  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association  for  thirty  thousand  pounds.  Mr. 
Moody  delivered  an  inspiring  address,  in  which  he  en- 
larged on  the  spiritual  advantages  of  the  Association,  and 
urged  the  straining  of  every  effort  to  reach  the  young 

12 


266  TUB  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

men  of  Manchester,  and  to  secure  the  building  in  ques- 
tion for  the  association.  A  collection  toward  the  object, 
made  at  the  close,  realized  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
pounds;  one  thousand  pounds  of  which  was  given,  I  be- 
lieve, by  the  chairman.  This  amount,  with  what  has  been 
received  before,  including  five  hundred  pounds  given  last 
week  by  Mr.  J.  Stuart,  makes  a  total,  at  present  received 
or  promised,  of  eight  thousand  pounds. 

"  On  Thursday  morning,  Mr.  Moody  addressed  a  crowd- 
ed meeting  in  the  Higher  Broughton  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  then  came  to  the  noon  prayer-meeting  in 
the  Oxford  Hall,  where  he  read  and  commented  on 
the  first  part  of  the  103d  Psalm.  He  said  he  had  to 
bless  the  Lord  for  what  He  had  done  for  him.  It  had 
been  the  best  year  of  his  life.  He  had  been  more  used 
by  God  than  in  all  the  seventeen  preceding  years.  He 
did  not  know  of  one  sermon  he  had  delivered  that  had 
not  been  blessed  to  the  conviction  or  conversion  of  some 
souls.  It  was  a  delightful  meeting.  Every  word  uttered 
was  set  to  the  tune  of  'Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul!' 
When  one  minister  rose  to  say,  'I  have  to  praise  God 
for  the  conversion  of  the  brother  of  dear  friends  of  mine, 
who  have  prayed  for  him  twenty-five  years;  for  the  con- 
version of  the  sister  and  of  the  servant  of  another  friend  ; 
for  the  salvation  of  three  persons  in  my  own  congrega- 
tion ;  for  the  dispelling  of  the  doubts  of  a  young  man  who 
traveled  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  to  these  meetings — 
all  which  blessings  have  been  given  in  the  course  of  the 
present  week;'  when  another  minister  rose  to  say  he 
had  never  met  with  so  much  of  Scriptural  teaching  con- 
cerning the  way  of  salvation,  and  clear  direction  of  in- 
quirers to  Jesus,  as  in  Mr.  Moody's  addresses;  and  an- 


MANCHESTER.  267 

other  to  say  that  the  last  ten  days  had  been  the  happiest 
of  his  life — that  he  had  derived  an  inspiration  from  these 
brethren,  and  had  discovered  how  to  preach  Christ,  and 
enjoy  sweet  communion  with  Jesus,  feeling  like  a  man 
whose  chains  were  broken  —  they  only  uttered  what 
many  could  have  indorsed,  as  a  description  of  the  bless- 
ings they  themselves  had  received. 

"  Our  beloved  brethren  left  in  the  afternoon  for  Shef- 
field, whither  our  prayers  follow  them.  They  are  to  re- 
turn, however,  for  Friday  and  Saturday,  January  8th  and 
9th,  and  then  we  hope  not  only  to  have  a  repetition  of 
the  blessings  we  have  so  abundantly  received,  but  to 
hear  glad  tidings  of  similar  grace  bestowed  on  the  neigh- 
boring town." 

RESULTS  IN   MANCHESTER. 

"  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  left  us,  for  the  present  at 
least,  on  the  afternoon  of  Thursday,  the  last  day  of  1874. 
For  four  weeks,  in  the  darkest,  coldest,  and  dreariest 
season  of  the  year,  have  these  men  of  God  toiled  among 
us  with  an  amount  of  diligence  and  zeal  such  as  I  never 
saw  equaled,  far  less  surpassed;  and  what  has  been  the 
result?  That  is  the  question  that  shaped  itself  in  my 
mind.  A  complete  answer  to  it  wTould  cover  page  after 
page  of  this  volume.  Only  eternity  will  disclose  the 
amount  of  good  that  has  been  done  through  their  in- 
strumentality. To  speak  figuratively,  we  have  had  sum- 
mer in  the  depth  of  winter.  The  Sun  of  Eighteousness 
has  shone  forth  most  brightly  and  genially,  even  while 
the  material  sun  has  been  hidden  from  view  amidst  fog 
and  darkness.  From  the  lips  of  hundreds  the  song  might 
have  been  heard,  '  For  lo,  the  winter  is  past,  the  rain  is 


268  THE   WORE   OF  GOB  EW  GREAT  BRITAIX. 

over  and  gone.  The  flowers  appear  on  the  earth  ;  the 
time  of  the  singing  of  birds  is  come,  and  the  voice  of  the 
turtle  is  heard  in  our  laud.' 

"In  speaking  of  definite  results,  so  far  as  these  can  be 
ascertained,  I  may  be  forgiven  if  I  begin  with  the  min- 
isters of  Manchester.  If  one  class  has  been  blessed  more 
than  another  during  these  past  four  weeks,  it  has  been 
the  regular  Christian  ministry.  I  am  sure  I  speak  the 
sentiments  of  all  my  brethren  who  have  thrown  them- 
selves heart  and  soul  into  the  movement,  when  I  say 
that  we  have  received  nothing  less  than  a  fresh  baptism 
of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Our  own  souls  have  been  quicken- 
ed. Our  faith  in  the  adaptation  of  the  glorious  Gospel  of 
the  blessed  God  to  the  wants  and  longings  of  the  human 
spirit  has  been  deepened.  Our  sense  of  the  magnitude 
and  responsibility  of  our  offices  as  Heaven's  ambassadors, 
charged  with  a  message  of  reconciliation  and  love  for 
the  guiltiest  of  the  guilty,  and  the  vilest  of  the  vile,  has 
been  greatly  increased.  We  have  had  demonstrated  to 
us  in  a  way  that  at  once  startled  and  delighted  some  of 
us,  that,  after  all,  the  grand  levers  for  raising  souls  out  of 
the  fearful  pit  and  the  miry  clay  are  just  the  doctrines 
which  our  so-called  advanced  thinkers  are  trying  to  per- 
suade the  Christian  world  to  discard  as  antiquated  and 
impotent.  These  are — the  doctrine  of  the  atoning  death 
of  Jesus  Christ;  the  doctrine  of  a  living,  loving,  personal 
Saviour ;  and  the  doctrine  of  the  new  birth,  by  the  Spirit 
and  the  "Word  of  Almighty  God.  One  of  our  ablest 
ministers,  at  the  noon  prayer-meeting  on  the  last  day  of 
the  year,  solemnly  declared  that,  whereas  the  first  of  these 
cardinal  verities  had  not  been  fully  realized  by  him  be- 
fore the  services  commenced,  he  now  felt  it  to  be  a  spring 


MANCHESTER.  269 

of  joy  and  satisfaction  to  bis  soul,  such  as  language  could 
hardly  express.  And,  then,  how  shall  I  speak  of  the 
gladness  that  has  filled  our  hearts  when  we  heard,  as  we 
did  almost  from  day  to  day,  of  conversions  in  our  con- 
gregations, of  parents  rejoicing  over  sons  and  daughters 
brought  to  Jesus,  of  young  men  consecrating  their  man- 
hood and  strength  to  God,  and  of  converts  offering  them- 
selves for  any  department  of  Christian  service? 

"  If  our  dear  friend,  Mr.  Moody,  had  accomplished  noth- 
ing more  than  the  quickening  of  the  ministers  of  this 
great  centre  of  population,  and  stirring  us  up  to  greater 
devotion  to  our  glorious  vocation  as  'laborers  together 
with  God,'  his  visit  would  not  have  been  in  vain.  Give 
us  a  revived  ministry,  and  we  shall  soon  see  a  revived 
church. 

"  Next  to  the  Christian  ministry,  I  believe  the  great 
army  of  Christian  workers  have  shared  most  largely  in 
the  blessing.  Perhaps  the  most  remarkable,  in  every  re- 
spect, of  all  the  services  held  by  the  evangelists  during 
their  stay  here  were  those  on  Sunday  mornings  in  the 
Free  Trade  Hall.  With  the  exception  of  one  of  these 
mornings,  the  weather  was  as  severe  as  any  we  have  had 
in  this  exceptionally  severe  winter,  and  yet  the  vast 
building  was  densely  packed,  at  the  early  hour  of  eight, 
with  audiences  presumably  composed  of  Sunday-school 
teachers,  tract-distributors,  district  visitors,  missionaries, 
evangelists,  etc.,  drawn  not  only  from  the  city  and  bor- 
ough, but  from  the  whole  surrounding  district.  The 
fruits  of  these  wonderful  meetings  are  already  apparent. 
I  question  if  there  be  a  single  Christian  agency  in  all 
Manchester  that  has  not  been  the  better  for  them.  From 
that  one  meeting,  as  from  a  great  fountain-head,  streams 


270  THE  WORE  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

of  blessing  have  flowed,  are  flowing  still,  and,  I  believe, 
will  continue  to  flow,  that  will  spread  life  and  beauty  over 
the  whole  field  of  Christian  work,  such  as  we  have  not 
witnessed  here  before.  Teachers  went  straight  from  the 
hall,  in  many  instances,  to  their  classes,  with  their  souls 
fired  with  love  for  their  scholars.  Missionaries  received 
fresh  impetus  and  courage  for  their  peculiarly  difficult 
work  of  going  from  door  to  door,  knocking  for  admit- 
tance in  the  name  of  Jesus.  Visitors  of  tract  districts 
felt  stimulated  to  greater  diligence  in  the  discharge  of 
their  important  duty,  as  the  bearers  of  those  silent  moni- 
tors from  house  to  house  that  have  so  often  brought 
'light  into  the  dwelling.'  Above  all,  drones  felt  re- 
buked, and  ceased  to  be  drones.  Recruits  in  large  num- 
bers were  enlisted  in  the  name  of  our  Lord  and  Kins' 

o 

Many  who  had  been  languidly  sighing  out,  'My  lean- 
ness, my  leanness!'  were  constrained  to  cry  out,  'My 
laziness,  my  laziness!'  and  to  add,  in  all  seriousness, 
'Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do?'  In  short,  could 
our  American  brethren  repeat  these  addresses  in  that 
great  hall  once  every  year,  they  would  do  for  our  vari- 
ous Christian  organizations  what  requires  to  be  done 
periodically  for  the  machinery  of  our  mills  and  factories 
— overhaul  them  completely,  renew  and  improve  much 
of  their  belting  and  gearing,  and  render  their  operation 
at  once  more  vigorous  and  more  productive. 

"The  noon  prayer-meeting  has  also  been  largely  bless- 
ed. Like  some  old  Eastern  well,  it  has  been  daily  visit- 
ed by  hundreds,  who  have  refreshed  their  souls  with  the 
water  of  life,  and  returned  to  their  businesses  and  their 
homes,  feeling  that  the  'sweet  hour  of  prayer'  was  the 
sweetest  of  all  the  hours  of  the  day.     And  the  requests 


MANCHESTER.  271 

for  prayer  that  have  been  presented — who  shall  number 
them  ?  who  shall  even  classify  them  ?  Above  all,  who 
shall  say  what  revelations  they  afforded  of  the  yearning 
solicitude,  the  agonizing  supplications,  the  impassioned 
cries,  that  exercise  the  souls  of  immortal  beings,  in  every 
relation  and  condition  of  life,  in  this  world  of  distance 
and  darkness  ?  Whatever  some  may  think  of  this  novel 
feature  in  the  mode  of  conducting  a  prayer-meeting,  I 
feel  sure,  from  observation  and  experience,  that  it  has  im- 
parted new  life  and  interest  to  a  much-neglected  institu- 
tion. These  requests  have  given  reality  and  intensity  to 
the  prayers  that  were  offered.  They  drew  out  our  sym- 
pathies toward  our  fellow-Christians,  in  connection  with 
trials  and  wants  such  as  had  never  entered  our  minds  to 
conceive.  They  made  us  feel  that  'one  touch  of  na- 
ture makes  the  whole  world  kin,'  that  'as  in  water  face 
answereth  to  face,  so  doth  the  heart  of  man,'  that  we  are 
all  members  of  the  one  family  called  by  the  one  name 
of  Jesus  Christ.  They  did  more  than  that — they  gave 
us  glimpses  of  the  fullness  that  is  in  our  Eedeemer,  out 
of  which  so  many  thousands  may  draw,  'and  grace  for 
grace ' — 'enough  for  all,  enough  for  each,  enough  for 
evermore.'  And  in  hundreds  of  cases  they  have  not 
been  in  vain,  if  we  may  judge  by  the  fact,  so  frequently 
brought  out  at  these  meetings,  that  thanksgivings  have 
been  publicly  made  for  abundant  answers  to  them,  some- 
times vouchsafed  in  very  wonderful  ways.  Parents  have 
stood  up  and  given  thanks  for  the  conversion  of  their 
children,  and  children  for  the  conversion  of  their  parents 
— brothers  for  the  conversion  of  sisters,  and  sisters  for  the 
conversion  of  brothers — teachers  for  the  conversion  of 
their  scholars,  and  ministers  for  the  conversion  of  some 


272  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

even  of  their  church- members.  'And  now,  0  Lord, 
we  thank  and  praise  thy  glorious  name!'  'Praise  the 
Lord,  0  Jerusalem ;  praise  thy  God,  0  Zion,  for  he  hath 
strengthened  the  bars  of  thy  gates ;  he  hath  blessed  thy 
children  within  thee.' " 


SHEFFIELD.  273 


II. 

SHEFFIELD. 

On  Thursday,  the  closing  day  of  the  year  1874,  Messrs. 
Moody  and  San  key  arrived  in  Sheffield  from  Manches- 
ter. As  the  clock  struck  the  midnight  hour,  what  a  year 
had  closed!  What  a  record  had  its  shining  moments 
borne  to  heaven  of  souls  saved  and  God  glorified  !  How 
mighty  the  wave  of  influence  it  had  started  in  endless 
circles!  How  innumerable  the  far  waving  harvests!  It 
opened  to  them  amidst  the  hushed  and  holy  throng  gath- 
ered around  them  in  Edinburgh,  to  watch  the  old  year 
out  and  the  new  year  in.  With  reverent  stillness  and 
silent  prayer,  they  listened  to  successive  peals  from 
church  towers,  which  told  of  the  quick  approach  of  an- 
other year  full  of  awful  possibilities  and  of  glad  certain- 
ties. As  men  of  faith,  they  had  welcomed  it  with  unfal- 
tering trust  and  high  expectation ;  receiving  in  their  in- 
most souls  the  benediction  from  the  Heavenly  Father — 
"  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  of  whom  the 
whole  family  in  heaven  and  earth  is  named,  that  he 
would  grant  you,  according  to  the  riches  of  his  glory, 
to  be  strengthened  with  might  by  his  Spirit  in  the  inner 
man  ;  that  Christ  may  dwell  in  your  hearts  by  faith  ;  that 
ye,  being  rooted  and  grounded  in  love,  may  be  able  to 
comprehend  with  all  saints  what  is  the  breadth,  and 
length,  and  depth,  and  height;  and  to  know  the  love 
of  Christ,  which  passeth  knowledge,  that  ye  might  be  fill- 

12* 


274  THE  WORK  OF  OOD  IN  ORE  AT  BRITAIN. 

cd  with  all  the  fullness  of  God."  And  we  can  imagine 
the  rapture  of  praise  with  which  the  concluding  verses 
were  uttered  on  the  last  day  of  1874:  "Now  unto  him 
that  is  able  to  do  exceeding  abundantly  above  all  that 
we  ask  or  think,  according  to  the  power  that  wrork- 
eth  in  us,  unto  him  be  glory  in  the  church  by  Jesus 
Christ  throughout  all  ages,  world  without  end.     Amen." 

WATCH-NIGHT  SERVICE. 

The  work  has  opened  here  most  auspiciously ;  the  two 
meetings  held  on  New  Year's  Eve  were  crowded,  and  the 
impressions  produced  were  most  solemn. 

The  first  meeting  was  held  in  the  Temperance  Hall 
at  nine  o'clock.  Mr.  Sankey  sung  a  new  hymn  written 
by  Dr.  H.  Bonar  expressly  for  him,  "Rejoice,  and  be 
glad!  the  Redeemer  has  come."  The  air  which  has 
been  set  to  these  words  is  peculiarly  appropriate  —  a 
bright,  joyous  melody. 

The  impression  produced  by  his  singing  was  very 
striking;  those  who  had  been  merely  curious  or  indiffer- 
ent seemed  attracted,  and  earnest  attention,  and,  in  some 
cases,  silent  weeping,  took  the  place  of  carelessness.  Mr. 
Moody  spoke  on  the  subject  of  "Work,"  dwelling  chief- 
ly on  Isaiah  vi.,  8:  "Here  am  I;  send  me."  His  ad- 
dress was  well  fitted  to  stir  the  Christians  of  this  town 
to  be  up  and  doing.  In  concluding,  he  appealed  to  all 
to  come  forward,  heart  and  soul,  "  and  let  us  have  a 
fortnight  of  faithful,  prayerful  work  for  God."  The 
watch-night  service  was  particularly  solemn.  The  Al- 
bert Hall,  where  it  wras  held,  was  crowded,  many  having 
stood  before  the  doors  an  hour  before  they  were  opened, 
in  order  to  make  sure  of  admittance. 


SHEFFIELD.  275 

Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  were  accompanied  on  to 
the  platform  by  a  large  number  of  ministers  of  all  de- 
nominations. 

"  One  most  interesting  feature  in  this  service  was  Mr. 
Sankey's  singing  of  'Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by.'  It 
might  be  the  novelty  of  his  style,  or  the  associations  nat- 
urally arising  at  the  near  approach  of  the  new  year,  but 
I  certainly  have  never  seen  such  an  effect  produced.  I 
have  heard  him  in  all  the  towns  they  have  visited  in 
Scotland,  and  also  in  Manchester;  but  I  never  heard  him 
sing  so  pathetically, more  especially  in  the  last  stanzas: 

1  Too  late !  too  late !  will  be  the  cry, 
Jesus  of  Nazareth  has  passed  by.' 

"  Mr.  Moody  spoke  from  Luke  xix.,  10  :  '  For  the  Son 
of  man  is  come  to  seek  and  to  save  that  which  was  lost.' 
As  illustrating  this  verse,  he  graphically  narrated  the 
two  stories  immediately  preceding  his  text — that  of  the 
opening  of  the  eyes  of  blind  Bartimeus,  and  the  conver- 
sion of  Zaccheus.  The  stories  were  related  in  that  way 
peculiarly  Mr.  Moody's  own,  making  his  listeners  part 
and  parcel  of  the  scene,  as  if  the  whole  thing  were  en- 
acted just  in  the  Targate,  and  Jesus  were  passing  the 
hall-doors.  He  connected  the  two  stories  by  throwing 
out  the  thought  that  as  Bartimeus  was  on  his  way  home 
to  tell  his  wife,  Zaccheus  met  him.  '  Why,  isn't  that  the 
poor  blind  beggar?  It's  like  him  ;  but  it  can't  be  he,  for 
his  eyes  are  open.' 

'"Yes,  it  is  L? 

" '  What  has  made  your  eyes  open  ?' 

"'Jesus  of  Nazareth  did  it.' 

" '  Where  is  he  ?     I  must  see  him.' 


276  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

"  '  He's  just  on  the  road  to  Jericho.' 

"Away  Zaccbeus  runs ;  and  because  be  is  a  little  man, 
be  gets  up  a  tree  to  see  well.  Jesus  stops,  looks  up, 
calls  bim:  'Zaccbeus,  come  down.'  This  was  one  in- 
stance of  sudden  conversion.  Some  don't  believe  in 
sudden  conversion ;  but  here  Zaccbeus  was  not  convert- 
ed when  be  went  up  tbe  tree,  yet  he  came  down  a  con- 
verted man.  We  are  told  he  received  Jesus  gladly. 
From  these  incidents,  he  proved  bow  willing,  bow  eager 
Christ  is  to  save  all.  What  have  we  to  do?  Nothing! 
blessed  be  God.  If  we  had,  we  would  never  do  it.  Only 
accept.  What  had  Zaccbeus  to  do?  Only  come  down, 
only  obey. 

"He  concluded  by  drawing  tbe  attention  of  the  audi- 
ence to  the  fact  that  the  old  year  was  fast  dying — only  a 
few  minutes — and  what  if  the  new  year  should  come  and 
find  us  where  we  were — lost !  Oh,  let  each  of  us  take  it ; 
the  offer  is  here ;  will  you  have  it  ?  Salvation — ay,  even 
before  this  year  is  closed  you  may  be  saved.  As  there 
are  only  a  few  minutes  of  this  year  remaining,  let  us  fin- 
ish the  old  and  begin  the  new  on  our  knees. 

"The  whole  audience  then  sunk  on  their  knees,  and  the 
new  year  found  them  bent  in  silent  prayer.  Mr.  Moody 
asked  that  those  who  were  unsaved  to  stand  up,  that 
they  might  be  prayed  for.  For  a  time  none  were  will- 
ing to  do  so;  but  on  Mr.  Moody's  asking  a  second  time 
1  if  there  were  none  in  the  ball  wishing  salvation,'  a  few 
stood  up,  and  the  Christians  were  asked  to  pray  for  them. 

"Just  then  the  bells  began  to  ring  in  the  new  year, 
and  the  Rev.  R.  Green  engaged  in  prayer  for  an  outpour- 
ing of  the  Holy  Ghost  on  the  town  of  Sheffield,  and 
most  particularly  on  the  special  meetings  to   be  held. 


SHEFFIELD.  277 

Mr.  Mood j  also  engaged  in  prayer.  This  was  one  of 
the  most  solemn  scenes  I  have  ever  been  privileged  to 
witness.  While  the  audience  were  bent  in  prayer,  the 
most  intense  stillness  prevailed,  broken  only  by  an  oc- 
casional sob.  After  singing  the  doxology,  the  meeting 
separated." 

A  WEEK   OF   PRAYER. 

Three  meetings  were  held  in  the  Albert  Hall  on  Mon- 
day, January  4th — one  at  noon,  one  at  three  o'clock,  and 
another  at  half-past  seven  in  the  evening.  Ministers  of 
all  denominations  took  part  in  the  proceedings.  The 
noon  prayer- meeting  was  briefly  addressed  by  Mr. 
Moody.  A  long  list  of  requests  for  prayer  was  read  at 
the  commencement.  Much  sensation  was  caused  by  a 
telegram  handed  in  toward  the  close  of  the  proceedings. 
It  was  to  the  following  effect:  "Three  men  were  exe- 
cuted this  morning  at  eight  o'clock  at  Liverpool.  They 
all  attributed  the  crimes  for  which  they  suffered  to  the 
evil  influences  of  drink.  Pray  for  the  poor  drunkards 
of  Liverpool."  Mr.  Moody  gave  a  Bible  lecture  at  three 
o'clock  on  "Christ,  the  Saviour,  Deliverer,  Redeemer, 
Teacher,  and  Shepherd."  The  hall  was  filled  in  every 
part.  Many  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  the  wealthy  classes 
were  present,  and  a  long  line  of  private  carriages  and 
cabs  was  drawn  up  in  front  of  the  hall.  The  evening 
meeting  was  crowded,  many  from  great  distances  being 
present.  Mr.  Moody  spoke  for  an  hour  on  "  Christ  the 
Remedy  for  Sip."  Private  meetings  for  inquirers  were 
held  after  the  public  meetings. 

On  Tuesday  there  were  three  public  meetings.  There 
was  no  falling  off  in  the  numbers  attending,  and  at  the 


278  THE   WORK  OF  GOB  ffi  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

afternoon  and  evening  meetings  the  Albert  Hall  was 
packed.  The  public  works  were  resuming  operations  af- 
ter the  Christmas  holidays,  and  consequently  fewer  of  the 
artisan  class  could  be  present  at  the  meetings ;  but  their 
places  were  filled  by  the  wealthy  classes,  old  persons,  and 
children,  whom  the  weather,  now  beautifully  mild,  had 
enticed  to  come  out.  The  vicar  of  Sheffield,  and  many 
clergymen  and  Dissenting  ministers,  attended  in  the 
course  of  the  day.  The  numbers  seeking  interviews  at 
the  inquiry-meetings  after  the  public  services  are  on  the 
increase.  An  additional  mass  meeting  for  men  is  to  be 
held  to-night.  In  connection  with  the  movement,  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association  have  announced  ear- 
ly prayer-meetings  for  those  in  business. 

On  Wednesday,  the  6th,  a  correspondent  of  the  Daily 
Review  wrote:  "Sheffield  is  being  greatly  stirred  by  the 
revival  services  of  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey.  They 
are  at  present  the  subject  of  conversation  in  families,  of- 
fices, work-shops,  and  factories.  The  merits  and  demer- 
its of  the  American  evangelists  are  keenly  discussed  by 
excited  groups  at  the  corners  of  streets,  and  the  oppo- 
nents of  the  movement  attribute  its  success  to  vulgar  cu- 
riosity, sensational  advertising,  and  press  exaggeration. 
Meanwhile  the  meetings  in  connection  with  the  move- 
ment are  on  the  increase.  The  numbers  seeking  admis- 
sion to  them  are  beyond  all  precedent  in  Sheffield.  The 
admission  to  the  mass-meeting  last  night  was  by  ticket, 
and  it  was  found  necessary  to  engage  an  additional  hall, 
capable  of  accommodating  two  thousand  persons.  The 
average  attendance  at  each  of  the  four  meetings  held  in 
the  Albert  Hall  yesterday  may  be  stated  at  twenty-five 
hundred — total,  ten  thousand.     Thirty  requests  for  the 


SHEFFIELD.  279 

prayers  of  the  noon  meeting  were  read.  They  were 
from  persons  in  all  stages  of  life  and  grades  of  society. 
Mr.  Moody  stated  that  many  more  had  been  received, 
too  late  for  arrangement,  which  would  have  to  be  defer- 
red till  next  day.  The  vicar  of  Sheffield  made  a  touch- 
ing appeal  on  behalf  of  a  dying  man,  from  whose  bedside 
he  had  just  come.  This  man,  he  said,  had  never  heard  of 
Jesus  till  the  previous  day.  Deeply  impressive  prayers 
were  offered  by  Mr.  Moody,  Mr.  Sankey,  and  others. 
Such  a  crowd  of  earnest  listeners  as  attended  Mr.  Moody's 
Bible-lecture  on  '  Salvation  by  Blood '  was  perhaps  never 
before  witnessed  in  any  assembly  hall  in  Sheffield.  Mr. 
Moody  proposed,  at  the  mass-meeting  for  men,  that  simi- 
lar meetings  should  be  instituted,  to  be  held  every  night 
in  temperance  halls.  He  asked  all  approving  the  pro- 
posal to  stand  up,  and  nearly  the  whole  assembly  re- 
sponded." 

On  Thursday  the  demands  for  admission  became  so 
numerous,  that  the  committee  restricted  the  admission 
by  tickets,  and  had  the  hall-doors  closed  as  soon  as  the 
hall  was  filled.  A  long  list  of  requests  for  the  prayers 
of  the  noon  meeting  was  read  previous  to  the  com- 
mencement of  the  service,  and  it  was  again  intimated 
that  it  had  been  found  impossible  to  arrange  nearly  all 
sent  in.  A  new  feature  was,  that  many  persons  desired 
to  return  thanks  for  their  conversion  through  these  meet- 
ings. Mr.  Moody,  in  a  brief  address  from  the  words, 
"Declare  his  doings  among  the  people,"  referred  to  re- 
cent accounts  of  their  work  in  Dublin,  Glasgow,  and  Man- 
chester. These  were  remarkable  for  their  mention  of  so 
great  a  number  of  young  men  as  had  become  converts, 
and  devoted  themselves  to  Christian  work.     He  affirmed 


280  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

that  none  of  their  public  services  had  been  followed  by 
more  gratifying  assurances  than  last  night's  mass-meet- 
ing for  men.  Half  an  hour  before  the  Bible  lecture  the 
hall  was  rilled,  the  doors  shut,  and  many  hundreds  left 
standing  round  the  entrances.  It  was  reported  that  many 
of  those  at  the  noon  meeting  had  remained  in  their 
seats.  Mr.  Moody  illustrated  the  Bible  lecture  by  some 
of  his  most  thrilling  anecdotes  and  appeals,  but  happily 
he  repressed  the  distracting  exclamations  which  were 
frequent  among  his  early  audiences  here.  When  he  re- 
quested a  few  minutes'  silent  prayer,  a  stillness  as  of 
death  fell  on  the  vast  assembly.  Many  hundreds  had  to 
be  denied  admission  to  the  evening  meeting,  at  which  Mr. 
Moody  gave  a  very  impressive  address  from  the  words, 
"  Son,  remember."  Two  other  meetings — one  for  men, 
another  for  women  —  were  held  elsewhere.  The  total 
attendance  at  these  meetings  was  about  twelve  thou- 
sand. 

On  Friday,  Mr.  Moody  having  gone  to  Manchester, 
the  prayer-meeting  was  presided  over  by  the  Rev.  Row- 
ley Hill,  vicar  of  Sheffield,  and  participated  in  by  other 
clergymen.  Several  laymen  also  took  part  in  the  pro- 
ceedings. Forty  requests  for  prayer  were  sent  in  by  let- 
ters and  telegrams.  The  evening  meeting  was  presided 
over  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Stainton,  Independent  minister, 
and  addresses  bearing  on  religious  work  were  delivered 
by  ministers  of  all  denominations.  A  meeting  for  men 
only  took  place  at  a  later  hour  in  the  temperance  hall, 
and  was  largely  attended.  The  singing  was  conducted 
by  Mr.  Sankey,  who  rendered  with  much  effect  some  of 
his  most  touching  solos. 

Rain  having  fallen  heavily  all  forenoon,  the  children's 


SHEFFIELD.  281 

meeting  at  midday  on  Saturday,  the  9th,  was  not  quite 
so  largely  attended  as  had  been  anticipated.  About  one 
hundred  adults  were  present.  Mr.  Sankey  presided,  and 
in  his  opening  address  gave  an  interesting  account  of 
the  children's  meetings  in  Edinburgh.  He  deprecated 
lengthy  addresses  to  children.  His  experience  was,  that 
such  meetings  could  be  made  attractive  to  children  by 
brief,  simple  discourses  from  several  speakers,  along  with 
the  singing  of  hymns  in  which  the  children  could  intel- 
ligently join.  Addresses  were  also  given  by  the  vicar 
and  other  speakers,  among  whom  was  Mr.  Drummond, 
from  Edinburgh,  a  young  man  well  known  in  connec- 
tion with  the  present  revival  movement.  In  closing  the 
meeting,  Mr.  Sankey  made  a  touching  allusion  to  his  ap- 
proaching departure,  that  being  in  all  probability  the  last 
children's  meeting  he  would  ever  address  in  Sheffield. 
The  evening  meeting  was  crowded,  and  many  hundreds 
were  denied  admission.  Mr.  Moody  spoke  from  the 
words,  "  He  was  wounded  for  our  transgressions,"  etc., 
and  the  picture  he  presented  of  Christ's  death  drew  tears 
from  hundreds.  When  he  spoke  of  the  resurrection,  the 
enthusiasm  became  irrepressible;  it  broke  out  in  every 
part  of  the  hall.  On  the  conclusion  of  the  service,  hun- 
dreds went  to  the  inquiry-room.  A  meeting  for  men 
was  held  in  the  temperance  hall,  which  was  crowded. 
This  meeting  was  addressed  by  Mr.  Drummond  and  oth- 
ers. The  excitement  and  enthusiasm  have  not  been  so 
high  in  Sheffield  before.  Mingling  in  the  crowd,  one 
hears  Mr.  Moody  compared  to  Paul  on  Mars  Hill.  The 
attendances  up  to  Saturday  night  reached  sixty -eight 
thousand. 

Four  meetings  were  held  in  the  Albert  Hall  on  Sun- 


282  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

day,  the  10th.  The  first,  for  Christian  workers,  at  eight 
o'clock,  was  well  attended.  It  would  probably  have 
been  crowded,  but  a  thick  drizzling  rain,  which  contin- 
ued most  of  the  day,  kept  many  at  home.  A  service  for 
those  who  do  not  usually  attend  any  church  or  chapel 
took  place  at  eleven  o'clock.  The  hall  was  filled,  but 
not  quite  by  the  class  for  whom  the  service  was  intend- 
ed. Strenuous  efforts  have  been  put  forth  among  the 
denizens  of  the  slums,  to  awaken  their  interest  in  the 
movement.  Hundreds  on  hundreds  of  tickets  were 
given  away  among  them,  and  expectations  were  enter- 
tained that  they  would  attend  in  large  numbers;  but  a 
cursory  glance  was  sufficient  to  convince  the  practiced 
observer  that  the  audience  did  not  differ  in  any  percepti- 
ble degree  from  former  audiences.  Many  new  faces  were 
to  be  seen,  but  they  were  those  of  decent,  orderly  work- 
ing people,  or  visitors  from  the  rural  districts — not  the 
besotted  countenances  of  the  residents  of  the  slums.  A 
meeting  for  women  only  was  announced  for  three  o'clock; 
but  by  half-past  two  the  hall  was  crammed  to  suffocation, 
and  the  wide  street  in  front  was  blocked  with  a  crowd 
of  both  sexes.  Every  means  of  persuasion  was  tried  to 
induce  those  who  were  crushed  out  to  go  and  listen  to 
other  speakers  elsewhere,  but  in  vain — they  would  hear 
none  but  Mr.  Moody.  Finally,  Mr.  Moody  left  the  Al- 
bert Hall,  and  addressed  the  people  assembled,  to  the 
number  of  many  thousands,  in  the  parish  churchward, 
situated  in  the  centre  of  the  town.  Similarly  the  hall 
was  crammed,  and  thousands  denied  admission,  an  hour 
before  the  commencement  of  the  evening  service.  Meet- 
ings were  announced  elsewhere,  but  the  crowd  outside 
remained  till  the  end  of  the  service. 


SHEFFIELD.  283 

A  correspondent  says:  "The  interest  in  the  evangel- 
ists' services  culminated  on  Sabbath.  All  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  town  were  stirred,  as  by  one  mighty  impulse. 
The  Christian  workers'  morning  meeting  was  crowded  to 
the  doors  with  an  influential  and  enthusiastic  audience. 
The  eleven  o'clock  meeting  was  rather  a  novel  one,  con- 
sisting entirely  of  non-church-goers,  who  were  admitted 
by  tickets  which  they  had  themselves  procured.  The 
Albert  Hall  was  thoroughly  packed,  almost  exclusively 
with  men  who  belonged,  with  scarcely  an  exception,  to 
the  very  class  intended  to  be  reached.  They  seemed 
greatly  to  appreciate  Mr.  Sanke}^,  who  sung  no  fewer 
than  three  solos  with  immense  effect;  the  last  one  espe- 
cially, the  'Prodigal  Child,'  quite  carried  away  the  audi- 
ence. Mr.  Moody  was  in  full  power,  and  a  profound  im- 
pression was  made,  which  bore  fruit  not  only  at  the  in- 
quiry-meeting at  the  close,  but  also  at  the  succeeding 
meetings. 

"The  next  meeting,  which  was  announced  for  three 
o'clock,  was  exclusively  for  women.  Long  before  the 
hour  the  hall  was  filled,  and  thousands  waited  around  the 
doors;  while  a  large  crowd  adjourned  spontaneously  to 
the  parish  church -yard,  in  the  hope  that  Mr.  Moody 
would  give  an  open-air  service.  What  could  Mr.  Moody 
do?  The  weather  was  mild,  and  the  streets  filled  with 
people  who  seemed  literally  to  be  hungry  for  the  bread 
of  life,  and  he  seemed  at  last  almost  compelled  by  circum- 
stances to  follow  the  multitude  to  the  church-yard  and 
address  them  there.  Mounting  a  tall,  flat  grave-stone, 
Mr.  Moody  was  in  a  few  moments  the  centre  of  perhaps 
the  largest  audience  he  had  ever  addressed  in  England. 
The  ground  could  not  have  been  better  chosen.     In  the 


284  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

rear  stood  a  range  of  tall  houses,  and  in  tbe  immediate 
foreground  the  old  parish  church,  with  its  antique  spire, 
overshadowing  one  of  the  most  impressive  scenes  ever 
witnessed  in  Sheffield.  With  such  surroundings,  it  is 
needless  to  say  that  the  preacher  spoke  with  unusual 
power;  and  last  Sabbath  afternoon  will  be  marked  for 
generations  as  an  era  in  the  religious  history  of  York- 
shire. In  the  mean  time  a  splendid  meeting  was  sus- 
tained in  the  Albert  Hall  by  Mr.  Sankey  and  others,  and 
a  very  large  number  of  inquirers  remained  at  the  close. 

"The  last  meeting,  also  ticketed,  was  advertised  for 
eight  o'clock,  but  before  seven  the  immense  hall  was 
again  filled  to  suffocation,  exclusively  with  men,  while 
thousands  of  people  lingered  around  the  doors.  Mr. 
Moody  and  Mr.  Sankey  took  the  indoor  meeting,  while 
a  number  of  ministers  and  others  addressed  the  crowd 
from  three  or  four  different  stand-points.  The  Albert 
Hall  meeting  was  a  fit  termination  to  such  a  memorable 
day,  and  the  number  of  inquirers  was  beyond  all  expec- 
tation. The  young  men's  meeting  in  the  Temperance 
Hall,  holding  one  thousand  five  hundred,  was  also  crowd- 
ed in  every  part,  and  promises  well  for  the  series  of 
men's  meetings  to  be  held  there  every  night  this  week. 
The  last  few  days  are  sure  to  be  signalized  by  unparal- 
leled results,  and,  as  a  local  paper  wrrites,  the  interest  is 
so  intense  and  universal  that  meetings  could  be  kept  fill- 
ed all  day  and  night,  if  preaching  could  only  be  provided 
for  the  audiences." 

GENERAL  IMPRESSIONS. 

The  long-looked-for  visit  of  Messrs.  Moody  and  San- 
key to  Sheffield  has  been  paid,  and  is  now  past.     The 


SHEFFIELD.  285 

crowded  meetings,  thrice  repeated  every  day,  attended 
by  persons  who  set  aside  engagements,  alike  of  business, 
work,  and  pleasure,  have  been  accompanied  with  much 
power  from  above.  Sheffield  is  usually  considered  as  a 
population  difficult  to  arouse,  sturdy,  independent,  un- 
impressionable; like  the  metal  in  which  we  work  in 
these  parts,  true,  but  hard  as  steel.  Yet  the  place  has 
been  thoroughly  aroused,  and  proof  to  demonstration 
given  that  God  is  able  to  work  here,  as  in  Jerusalem  of 
old,  and  as  in  other  towns  of  England  now  ;  thus  greatly 
encouraging  Christian  ministers  and  laborers  to  look 
with  faith  for  greater  things.  All  the  meetings  have 
been  pervaded  by  a  sense  of  God's  nearness ;  believers 
have  been  filled  with  fresh  joy  and  fired  with  new  zeal ; 
the  anxious  have  found  soul-rest;  the  careless  have  been 
aroused.  In  fact,  we  have  had  at  once  a  revival  and  an 
awakening — a  revival  touching  the  hearts  of  God's  peo- 
ple, and  an  awakening  spreading  among  the  thoughtless. 
The  influence  reached  its  height  on  the  last  night  of  Mr. 
Moody's  presence  in  the  town,  when  he  addressed  spe- 
cially the  converts,  who  were  present  in  goodly  numbers, 
together  with  a  vast  crowd  of  Christian  workers.  His 
words  seemed  to  have  a  thrilling  power  among  us  all. 
When  he  closed  by  saying  that  he  did  not  like  "  fare- 
well," and  "good-bye"  was  almost  as  bad;  he  would 
therefore  just  say  "good -night,"  and  meet  us  in  the 
morning  (pointing  to  the  skies),  I  think  the  whole  audi- 
ence deeply  felt  how  much  our  beloved  brother  had  en- 
deared himself  to  us.  And  when  Mr.  Sankey  followed 
directly  with  his  touching  farewell  hymn,  so  appropriate 
to  such  an  occasion,  and  so  specially  addressing  every 
class  of  hearers,  many  were  the  eyes  that  were  bathed  in 


286  THE  WORK  OF  GOB  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

tears.  Had  it  been  possible,  we  would  not  have  parted 
with  our  brethren.  But  may  the  Lord  go  with  them  in 
other  places,  confirming  their  word  with  signs  and  won- 
ders, as  He  has  done  here ! 

The  verdict  of  almost  all  Christian  people  upon  this 
movement  is,  that  it  is  the  work  of  God.  I  am  con- 
vinced that  such  an  estimate  is  just,  on  many  grounds. 

1.  The  movement  was  an  answer  to  prayer.  Though 
we  had  not  waited  on  the  Lord  so  long  as  Christians  in 
some  other  towns  have  done,  a  weekly  united  prayer- 
meeting  had  been  maintained  for  nearly  a  year  previous- 
ly. Many  of  God's  people  were  also  quietly  sighing  and 
crying  for  the  abominations  of  the  city,  and  hungering 
and  thirsting  for  spiritual  blessing.  One  feature  in  the 
prayers  previously  offered  was  very  noticeable.  While 
all  were  preparing  heartily  to  welcome  Messrs.  Moody 
and  Sankey,  there  was  a  thorough  recognition  in  the 
supplications  that  not  they,  but  their  God,  must  open  the 
flood-gates  of  grace.  The  Spirit  was  honored ;  and  we 
have  had  the  answer. 

2.  Remarkable  unity  prevailed.  At  least  in  its  out- 
ward manifestation  this  was  realized,  when  ministers  of 
the  Established  Church  and  those  of  the  Free  Churches 
sat  together  on  the  same  platform,  and  followed  each 
other  in  prayer.  The  force  of  exhortation,  backed  by  the 
united  sympathy  and  supplications  of  the  whole  Christian 
Church,  is  multiplied  tenfold.  Doubtless  Christian  un- 
ion is  of  God.  When  will  it  genuinely  prevail  ?  Is  not 
the  attainment  of  it  worth  the  surrender  of  the  causes  of 
division  ? 

3.  The  movement  had  a  growing  power.  Its  influ- 
ence at  first  was  not  to  be  compared  with  what  it  became 


SHEFFIELD.  287 

in  its  progress.  Indeed,  the  feeling  of  myself  and  of 
others  with  whom  I  have  conversed  was  at  first  one  of 
disappointment.  Both  Mr.  Moody's  speaking  and  Mr. 
Sankey's  singing  seemed  to  fall  short  of  what  we  had  ex- 
pected ;  but  it  was  not  long  before  the  impressiveness  of 
both  made  itself  felt  to  all.  To  my  mind,  this  is  a  true 
test  of  excellence.  A  picture,  a  piece  of  music,  a  land- 
scape— do  they  grow  upon  you  by  repetition?  The  work 
of  these  evangelists  has  grown  upon  us.  I  apprehend  it 
would  have  been  the  other  way,  had  it  not  been  of  God. 

4.  The  stillness  was  remarkable.  The  noise  and  con- 
fusion favorable  to  revivals  which  are  the  work  of  man 
was  altogether  absent.  The  quiet,  favorable  to  the  de- 
scent and  operations  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  was  marked.  A 
man  of  my  acquaintance  once  observed  that  "  any  body 
could  get  up  a  revival  if  he  only  made  enough  noise." 
There  was  nothing  of  that  kind  here.  Indeed,  I  noticed 
that  if  any  brother  threw  a  needless  physical  exertion 
into  his  entreaties,  Mr.  Moody  would  be  sure  to  say, 
"Let  us  have  a  few  minutes'  silent  prayer;"  and  this  was 
mostly  followed  by  the  subduing  strains  of  Mr.  Sankey's 
harmonium  and  voice.  A  solemn  quiet  reigned  at  all 
times,  and  even  Mr.  Moody's  humorous  sayings  did  not 
destroy  the  solemnity  of  it.  A  work  done  under  condi- 
tions such  as  these,  so  different  from  those  which  have 
prevailed  in  some  "  revivals,"  commends  itself  to  me  as 
the  work  of  God.  There  are  many  things  that  I  might 
touch  on ;  but  only  one  thing  more  will  I  mention. 

5.  The  work  is  evidently  one  of  faith.  This  quality 
is  very  observable  in  Mr.  Moody.  He  has  faith — not  a 
proud  self-confidence  engendered  by  success,  but  a  hum- 
ble reliance  upon  God  and  fearless  expectation  of  blessing. 


288  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IX  ORE  AT  BRITAIN. 


LETTER   OF   MR.  MOODY   TO   THE   YOUNG    CONVERTS. 

A  meeting  of  converts  was  held  on  the  evening  cf 
January  19th,  presided  over  by  the  Eev.  E.  Staunton. 

During  the  proceedings  the  chairman  read  the  follow- 
ing letter: 

"  Birmingham,  Jan.  19th,  18T5. 

"My  dear  Friends, — Mr.  Sankey  and  I  would  have  been  very  glad 
to  have  seen  you  all  once  more  to-night,  but  God  has  given  us  work  in  an- 
other corner  of  his  vineyard,  and  we  can  only  join  you  in  well-wishes.  I 
am  very  glad  now  to  have  this  opportunity  of  fulfilling  my  promise  to  send 
you  a  short  message.  There  are  many  things  I  should  like  to  say  if  I  had 
the  time,  but  I  fear  I  must  confine  myself  to  one  or  two  very  plain  words. 
Ever  since  we  left  Sheffield,  every  one  of  us  will  have  changed  a  little. 
Some  will  be  merrier,  and  some  will  be  gloomier.  Some  will  be  fuller  of 
God's  love,  and  some  may  even  feel  a  little  emptier ;  others,  again,  may 
not  have  got  over  the  period  of  ivonder,  and  still  find  themselves  asking ; 
'  And  can  it  really  all  be  true  ?  Is  it  not  just  some  strange  dream  ?  Is  it 
really  possible  that  God  loves  us,  and  that  we  are  really  saved  for  ever- 
more ?  Aud  this  is  my  only  one  reply  to  these  very  common  and  ration- 
al questions.  We  are  changed,  but  Christ  is  not.  Oh,  if  he  were  differ- 
ent, it  would  be  a  very,  very  serious  thing.  And  if  we  are  changed  and 
are  frightened  about  it,  we  must  find  out  at  once  if  he  is  changed  too.  If 
it  is  only  we  who  are  different,  it  does  not  matter  much,  because  salvation 
does  not  depend  upon  us,  but  upon  him.  And  the  Bible  tells  us  all  about 
it  in  one  little  golden  sentence,  which  we  must  all  ask  God  to  burn  into 
our  hearts,  and  then  we  shall  never  be  troubled  any  more  about  our  feel- 
ings. In  Hebrews  xiii.,  8,  he  says,  'Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yesterday,  and 
to-day,  and  forever.'  Yes !  the  same ;  no  matter  how  changed  we  are,  no 
matter  how  dull,  how  joyless,  he  is  just  as  he  was  yesterday,  just  as  he  was 
the  night  when  we  got  our  first  glimpse  of  his  dying  love  for  us. 

"  Oh,  dear  friends,  let  us  keep  looking  to  him,  and  as  we  look,  God  will 
give  us  the  longing  to  be  more  and  more  like  him.  Perhaps  some  of  you  al- 
ready feel  that  longing,  and  you  don't  know  what  it  is !  Perhaps  you  think 
it  is  very  hard  to  have  this  craving  after  a  better  heart  and  a  holier  life. 
But  Christ  says  it  is  'blessed.'  It  is  not  hard  ;  it  is  not  a  misfortune:  it 
is  not  a  sign  that  the  health  of  the  soul  is  gone.  No ;  appetite  is  not  the 
symptom  of  disease,  but  of  health.     And  the  Master  himself  has  told  us 


SHEFFIELD.  289 

that  it  is  blessed  to  be  hungry  and  thirsty  after  him.  And  some  of  you 
may  be  mourning  over  your  empty  hearts,  for  little  love  is  there ;  how 
little  faith,  how  little  zeal  for  the  Master's  service !  Well,  it  is  not  hard- 
ship to  feel  like  that.  If  it  be  real,  it  is  not  sad  to  be  that  way,  only  don't 
mourn  over  it.  Christ  says  it  is  '  blessed ' — blessed  to  be  poor  in  spirit ; 
and  the  poorer,  and  weaker,  and  humbler  we  feel,  the  more  room  is  there 
for  him  to  perfect  strength  in  our  weakness.     '  My  grace  is  sufficient  for 

thee ;  my  strength  is  made  perfect  in  weakness  ; for  when  I  am  weak, 

then  am  I  strong.'  And  now,  dear  friends,  before  closing,  let  me  ask  you 
all  to  do  something  for  Christ,  something  this  very  week.-  I  can  not  tell 
you  what  to  do ;  but  God  will  if  you  ask  him.  He  has  something  for 
every  body  to  do ;  and  let  us  be  earnest  in  doing  our  best  for  him,  and  let 
us  do  it  soon.  Death  will  be  upon  us  when  our  work  will  be  but  begun, 
and  '  the  night  cometh  when  no  man  can  work.'  And  for  every  one  of 
you,  that  God  may  bless  you,  and  keep  you,  and  cause  the  light  of  his  face 
to  shine  upon  you,  and  enable  you  to  grow  in  the  knowledge  and  likeness 
of  his  only-begotten  Son,  is  the  earnest  and  humble  prayer  of  your  affec- 
tionate friend,  D.  L.  Moody." 


INCIDENTS  BELATED. 

Last  Sunday,  at  the  prayer-meeting  after  the  evening 
service  in  Nether  Chapel,  the  first  to  pray  was  an  elderly 
stranger.  Very  intelligently,  calmly,  and  fervently  he 
led  our  devotions.  He  staid  subsequently  to  speak  with 
me,  and  tell  his  story.  In  early  life  he  had  been  a 
Christian  and  boy-preacher.  Through  some  means  he 
became  separated  from  his  communion,  and  fell  farther 
and  still  farther  back  from  the  pleasant  paths  of  wisdom. 
But  the  backslider  in  heart  was  filled  with  his  own 
ways;  for  many  years  he  had  walked  in  utter  wretched- 
ness. His  conscience  tormented  him,  almost  foreshadow- 
ing the  worm  of  hell.  He  resorted  to  drink  as  to  an 
anodyne;  but  it  killed  not  his  pangs.  Fears  which  he 
almost  seemed  to  see  preyed  upon  him.  At  last  he  re- 
solved to  bring  his  life  to  an  end.     One  day  he  purposed 

13 


290  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIX. 

it,  but  was  mercifully  prevented  by  unforeseen  events. 
Once  more  he  planned  his  design,  and,  intending  to  car- 
ry it  out,  passed  near  the  lower  Albert  Hall,  where  Mr. 
Daniels  was  conducting  a  children's  service,  preparatory 
to  the  visit  of  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey.  He  entered. 
A  simple  prayer  offered  went  to  his  heart;  it  unstopped 
the  wells  of  penitence  in  his  soul.  The  backslider,  the 
would-be  sivjcide,  came  weeping  back  to  Christ,  felt  once 
more  the  tender  Shepherd's  love ;  and  at  length,  after 
having  been  almost  torn  to  pieces  by  the  fierce  wolves 
of  despair  and  remorse,  was  again  at  rest — safe  in  the 
arms  of  Jesus. 

A  brother  minister  tells  the  following  story  :  "  In  con- 
nection with  these  services  I  had  conversation  with  one 
poor  man  in  the  inquiry-room,  who  said  he  had  never 
known  the  name  of  Jesus  as  that  of  the  world's  Saviour. 
He  had  heard  it  as  a  name,  indeed,  but  knew  not  whom 
it  meant.  On  being  interrogated,  he  avowed  that  he  had 
seen  pictures  occasionally  of  a  man  upon  a  cross,  and 
also  of  one  walking  on  the  waves,  but  he  knew  not  whom 
they  represented.  As  much  light  as  could  be  imparted 
was  given  to  the  poor  seeker ;  and  although  his  faith  is 
not  an  intelligent  one,  I  hope  that  that  night  will  prove 
to  have  been  the  turning-point  in  the  history  of  a  pre- 
cious soul. 

"In  the  inquiry-room  I  met  a  young  man  deeply  im- 
pressed on  account  of  sin.  After  some  conversation,  I 
prayed  with  him,  and  then  asked  him  if  he  would  follow 
with  a  few  words.  He  said  he  could  not;  so  I  begged 
him  to  join  with  me  in  uttering  a  few  simple  sentences  ap- 
propriate to  his  case.  He  complied  at  once ;  and  when 
he  rose  from  his  knees,  he  exclaimed,  '  That  is  the  first 


SHEFFIELD.  291 

prayer  I  ever  prayed  in  my  life !'     And  he  meant  it  lit- 
erally." 

A  clergyman  tells  a  remarkable  case  of  one  who  wan- 
dered into  the  inquiry-room  without  any  distinct  purpose. 
When  many  knelt,  he  knelt.  The  clergyman  came  to 
speak  in  that  part  of  the  room,  and  addressed  a  woman 
near.  But  she  was  unable  to  say  any  thing;  so,  after 
vainly  attempting  to  lead  her  into  conversation,  he  deem- 
ed it  best  to  state  the  simple  truth  of  the  Gospel,  and  to 
pass  on.  Coming  to  this  man,  he  began  to  talk,  and  at 
once  received  replies.  Though  indifferent  at  the  outset, 
he  became  seriously  concerned  then  and  there,  and  now, 
I  believe,  good  hopes  are  entertained  of  his  conversion. 
Yet  he  says  his  only  reason  for  replying  readily  to  the 
questions  addressed  to  him  was,  that  he  thought  the 
good  woman  his  neighbor  had  treated  the  clergyman  so 
disrespectfully  that,  out  of  mere  civility,  he  would  com- 
port himself  differently. 


292  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  ilV  GREAT  BRITAIN. 


III. 

BIRMINGHAM. 

We  find  it  difficult  to  select  details,  and  report  long- 
continued  meetings,  when  the  spiritual  tide  suddenly 
rises  and  pours  in  one  mighty  stream  through  a  great 
city.  Birmingham  has  a  population  of  nearly  four  hun- 
dred thousand,  mainly  devoted  to  mechanical  employ- 
ments. The  class  is  such  as  has  been  most  easily  reach- 
ed by  our  brethren,  though  their  converts  have  come 
from  all  ranks  in  society.  Their  labors  commenced  here 
on  Sunday  morning,  January  17th,  1874.  The  character 
of  the  city  to  which  they  had  come  is  thus  described  in 
the  Belfast  Witness  of  January  22d  : 

"Birmingham — often  and  correctly  described  as  the 
Toy-shop  of  the  World — is  better  known  as  a  town  of 
intense  political  activity  than  of  great  religious  vitality. 
For  years  past  this  has  been  the  head-quarters  of  the  ad- 
vanced school  of  politicians,  and  on  more  than  one  occa- 
sion Birmingham  has  given  the  key-note  to  the  rest  of 
the  country  upon  the  important  questions  which  have 
agitated  our  times.  In  the  stormy  days  which  preceded 
the  passing  of  the  first  Eeform  Bill,  Birmingham  made 
her  voice  heard  and  her  influence  felt  through  Thomas 
Attwood,  the  famous  founder  and  President  of  the  Polit- 
ical Union.  In  later  days  she  has  continued  a  political 
power  in  the  land,  for  this,  if  for  no  other  reason,  that 
John  Bright  —  the  Tribune  of  the  People — sits  in  the 


BIRMINGHAM.  293 

House  of  Commons  as  one  of  her  representatives.  But 
Birmingham  is  a  religious  as  well  as  a  political  town, 
and  has  exercised  considerable  influence  upon  England 
in  the  former  as  in  the  latter  capacity.  It  was  here  that 
John  Angel  James  labored  so  long,  and  with  such  mark- 
ed success ;  and  in  our  own  day  the  town  has  been  able 
to  count  among  its  ministers  men  like  Mr.  Charles  Yince, 
the  well-known  Baptist  orator,  who  died  only  lately,  and 
Mr.  E.  W.  Dale,  the  successor  of  John  Angel  James,  and 
one  of  the  finest  preachers  and  ablest  writers  connected 
with  the  Congregational  body.  Koman  Catholicism  has, 
also,  in  its  hour  of  need,  to  turn  to  Birmingham  as  con- 
taining its  greatest  tower  of  strength  in  England,  for  it 
is  from  the  Oratory  here  that  Dr.  Newman  occasionally 
issues  to  cross  swords  with  the  strongest  and  stoutest 
assailants  of  Popery.  The  freethinking  school,  in  all 
its  branches  and  varied  forms,  is  likewise  strong  in  the 
midland  Metropolis,  both  numerically  and  intellectually. 
The  Unitarians  have  some  of  the  best  preachers  and 
finest  churches  in  the  town,  while  Mr.  George  Dawson, 
whose  church  is  associated  with  no  denomination  what- 
ever, and  who  is  himself  a  fearless  freethinker,  wields 
an  influence  in  these  parts  which  it  would  be  difficult  to 
overestimate. 

"Taking  every  thing  into  account,  many  persons  were 
inclined  to  think  that  the  American  evangelists  would 
experience  greater  difficulty  in  rousing  and  attracting 
Birmingham  than  they  had  encountered  in  the  case  of 
any  of  the  other  large  towns  previously  visited.  How 
far  these  calculations  have  been  removed  from  the  truth 
is  abundantly  shown  by  the  truly  splendid  meetings 
which  they  have  held  this  week.     Never  before  have 


294  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

such  stirring  and  memorable  sights  been  witnessed  here. 
Sometimes,  it  is  true — when,  for  example,  Mr.  Bright  has 
been  addressing  the  electors — more  people  have  been 
crowded  into  Bingley  Hall,  one  of  the  most  capacious 
buildings  in  the  country.  On  those  occasions  the  build- 
ing contained  only  a  few  seats,  so  that,  nearly  all  requir- 
ing to  stand,  some  twenty  thousand  persons  could  find 
room  within  its  walls.  For  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey's 
services,  however,  the  place  has  been  seated  throughout, 
and  still  contains  comfortable  accommodation  for  well  on 
to  fifteen  thousand  individuals. 

"  On  Sunday  two  meetings  were  held  in  the  Town  Hall, 
capable  of  holding  nearly  five  thousand — one,  in  the 
morning,  for  Christian  workers  only,  and  the  other,  in 
the  afternoon,  open  to  all.  The  hall  was  crowded  on 
both  occasions.  In  the  evening,  at  eight,  a  service,  free 
to  all,  was  held  in  Bingley  Hall.  So  great  was  the  rush 
for  admission  that  the  immense  building  was  thronged 
throughout  by  seven  o'clock.  The  doors  had  to  be 
closed  against  thousands  and  thousands  eager  to  get  in, 
it  being  estimated  that,  had  it  been  possible,  Bingley 
Hall  could  have  been  crowded  three  or  four  times  that 
night,  with  different  congregations  each  time.  It  has 
been  the  same  since,  daily  and  nightly — the  Town  Hall 
full  at  the  noon  meeting,  and  Bingley  Hall  occupied  to 
its  utmost  extent  in  the  evening.  Carr's  Lane  Chapel 
(Mr.  Dale's)  is  also  crowded  on  the  occasion  of  Mr. 
Moody's  Bible  lectures  each  afternoon.  While  a  few 
of  the  leading  local  clergy  of  the  Church  of  England  are 
keeping  aloof  from  the  movement  as  yet,  a  considerable 
number  have  thrown  themselves  heartily  into  the  work. 
The  various  Dissenting  ministers  are  loyally  and  ably 


BIRMINGHAM.  295 

supporting  and  assisting  the  evangelists.  Mr.  Dale  at- 
tends nearly  all  their  meetings,  and  almost  invariably 
takes  some  part  in  the  service,  either  by  giving  out  a 
hymn,  offering  up  a  prayer,  or  delivering  a  short  and 
pointed  address.  It  would  be  impossible  to  say  whether 
the  audiences  are  most  affected  by  Mr.  Moody's  earnest 
appeals  or  Mr.  Sankey's  magnificent  rendering  of  some 
touching  hymn. 

"  On  Monday  night,  at  the  close  of  his  address,  Mr. 
Moody  asked  all  those  to  stand  up  who  were  not  yet 
Christians,  but  who  were  anxious  to  become  such.  At 
first  no  one  answered  the  appeal.  'No  one!'  he  cried; 
'What!  no  sinner  in  this  vast  assembly  who  wants  to 
become  a  Christian!'  Then  a  young  girl,  apparently 
about  sixteen,  rose  in  the  body  of  the  hall,  her  head 
hung  down,  crying  bitterly  as  she  held  her  handkerchief 
over  her  eyes.  'Thank  God!  there's  one  at  least!'  ex- 
claimed Mr.  Moody.  Then  between  two  and  three  hun- 
dred persons,  in  all  parts  of  the  hall,  of  all  ages,  and  evi- 
dently belonging  to  every  class,  stood  up  in.  rapid  suc- 
cession, Mr.  Moody  ejaculating,  '  Praise  the  Lord  !  So 
many  as  that!  I  can  not  count  them  ;  but  Jesus  knows 
you  all.'  Mr.  Dale  asked  all  those  who  bad  stood  up,  and 
any  others  who  were  anxious,  to  leave  the  hall  at  once 
and  proceed  to  Broad  Street  Presbyterian  Church,  where 
Mr.  Moody  would  meet  them.  A  large  number  left  ac- 
cordingly. Broad  Street  Presbyterian  Church,  where 
Mr.  Moody  met  the  inquirers,  was  crowded. 

"  On  Tuesday  evening,  the  regular  service  being  ended, 
Mr.  Moody  requested  all  who  had  to  go  to  leave  the  hall 
then.  A  large  number  went ;  but  the  floor  and  lower 
galleries  still  remained  occupied  to  their  fullest  extent. 


296  THE  WORK  OF  GOB  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

The  upper  galleries  being  cleared,  Mr.  Moody  asked  all 
who  felt  anxious  to  go  into  these  galleries,  where  Mr. 
Sankey  and  the  ministers  present  would  be  glad  to  con- 
verse with  them,  and  try  to  remove  any  difficulties  or 
doubts  they  might  have.  A  great  number — probably  a 
couple  of  hundred,  chiefly  young  women — complied  with 
the  request  and  entered  the  upper  galleries,  where  Mr. 
Sankey  and  several  ministers  and  others  met  and  con- 
versed with  them.  While  this  was  being  done,  those 
seated  in  the  body  of  the  hall,  at  Mr.  Moody's  request, 
engaged  in  silent  prayer  on  behalf  of  the  anxious." 

Never  before  in  Birmingham  have  any  preachers 
drawn  such  vast  numbers  of  people  as  these  brethren 
are  doing  at  this  time.  Thousands  are  flocking  daily  to 
hear  them  from  the  districts  around.  The  whole  com- 
munity seems  stirred  up.  That  which  seems  to  be  up- 
permost in  men's  minds  is  the  present  marvelous  gath- 
erings that  are  daily  taking  place.  There  is  no  lack  of 
opportunity  for  the  Christian  to  put  in  a  word  for  the 
Master,  for  wherever  you  go,  whether  in  the  counting- 
house,  shop,  refreshment-room,  train,  omnibus,  and  even 
as  you  walk  along  the  street,  the  one  topic  is  the  doings 
of  these  wonderful  men  of  God.  If  you  want  to  get  a 
seat  at  their  meetings,  you  must  be  there  fully  one  hour 
before  the  time;  and  a  stranger  entering  the  town  must 
be  struck  with  the  determination  of  those  who  daily  seek 
these  gatherings. 

Every  day  this  week  hundreds  have  been  turned 
away  from  the  noon-day  meetings  held  in  the  Town  Hall. 
Meetings  are  now  being  held  in  Carr's  Lane  Chapel 
every  afternoon  at  three  o'clock,  and  here  again  it  is 
necessary  to  be  there  some  time  before  the  service  com- 


BIRMINGHAM.  297 

mences.  In  fact,  yesterday  I  was  there  at  two  o'clock, 
and  the  body  of  the  chapel  was  then  filled.  It  is  esti- 
mated that  three  thousand  people  are  in  this  building 
every  afternoon. 

To  convey  to  the  mind  of  the  reader  the  sight  which 
presents  itself  on  entering  Bingley  Hall  (the  place  of 
evening  meeting)  is  impossible.  Sloping  down  from  the 
galleries  which  run  round  the  building,  other  galleries 
have  been  erected,  and  the  whole  building,  from  the 
speaker's  platform,  looks  like  one  vast  amphitheatre. 
The  crimson  cloth  which  drapes  the  galleries  adds  to  the 
general  effect,  and  makes  the  hall  (said  to  be  one  of  the 
dreariest-looking  buildings  in  the  Midland  counties)  look 
very  comfortable.  The  immense  sea  of  faces  is  singu- 
larly impressive,  especially  when  from  twelve  to  fifteen 
thousand  people  are  listening  eagerly  to  catch  the  words 
that  fall  from  the  speaker's  lips. 

The  question  may  be  asked,  What  effect  is  this  move- 
ment having  upon  the  people  in  general  ?  I  reply,  good 
every  way.  The  stirring  addresses  given  by  Mr.  Moody 
to  Christians  from  the  very  first  morning  are  bearing 
fruit.  They  are  beginning  to  look  about,  and  realize 
that  thousands  around  them  are  living  without  Christ. 
Many  Christians  have  spoken  to  me  of  the  fresh  energy 
with  which  they  have  been  stimulated  through  attend- 
ing the  meetings.  As  for  those  who  nightly  throng 
Bingley  Hall,  the  best  test  of  the  work  I  can  give  is, 
that  whereas  at  first  the  after- meetings  were  held  in  a 
neighboring  church,  the  anxious  ones  have  now  become 
so  numerous  that  they  are  obliged  to  remain  in  the  hall, 
while  earnest  Christian  workers,  with  Bible  in  hand,  pass 
from  one  to  another,  and  open  to  inquirers  the  way  of  life. 

13* 


298  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

All  this  proves  to  us  the  great  power  of  God,  and  what 
he  can  do  by  two  men  who  give  themselves  wholly  up 
to  him.  The  work  "is  marvelous  in  our  eyes,"  but  it 
is  not  less  marvelous  that  their  physical  strength  does 
not  give  way  under  their  unceasing  labors.  While  Mr. 
Sankey  is  greatly  gifted  with  power  to  use  his  voice  in 
singing  the  Gospel,  Mr.  Moody  has  a  way  of  marvelously 
picturing,  in  the  most  vivid  manner,  Bible  truths.  From 
the  humorous  he 'can  come  down  to  the  pathetic,  and  so 
move  his  hearers  to  tears,  and  withal  there  is  a  "  holy 
boldness  "  which  is  seldom  to  be  met  with  in  the  preach- 
ers of  the  present  day.  May  the  Lord  bless  abundantly 
the  efforts  of  these  men,  who  have  produced  such  an  un- 
usual and  powerful  effect  upon  Birmingham ! 

The  Morning  News  says:  "  Never  before  in  the  history 
of  Birmingham,  I  believe,  have  two  men  drawn  such 
large  numbers  of  people  together  as  Messrs:  Moody  and 
Sankey  have  done,  time  after  time,  during  the  whole  of 
last  week  and  yesterday.  The  Town  Hall,  Carr's  Lane 
Chapel,  and  Bingley  Hall  have  been  entirely  filled  at  most 
of  their  meetings,  uncomfortably  crowded  at  some,  and 
all  but  full  at  one  or  two  others.  Since  commencing  their 
labors  here,  they  have  held  twenty-two  services.  No 
doubt  in  many  cases  the  same  persons  presented  them- 
selves at  the  meetings  again  and  again  ;  but  it  is  prob- 
able that  the  audiences  were,  for  the  most  part,  different 
on  each  occasion.  At  the  four  meetings  in  Carr's  Lane 
Chapel  some  twelve  thousand,  at  the  six  in  the  Town 
Hall  about  twenty-four  thousand,  and  at  the  twelve  in 
Bingley  Hall  at  least  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand 
persons  must  have  been  present,  making  a  total  of  one 
hundred   and  fifty-six  thousand  men,  women,  and  chil- 


BIRMINGHAM.  299 

dren,  to  whom,  during  the  last  eight  days,  they  have 
preached  and  sung  the  Gospel.  Nor  does  the  interest  in 
the  men  and  their  work  as  yet  know  any  abatement,  it 
being  likely  that  the  services  to  be  held  this  week  will 
be  as  numerously  attended  as  those  of  last  week. 

"  The  spring-tide  of  blessing  has  rolled  over  Birming- 
ham, and  risen  far  above  the  ordinary  high-water  mark 
of  years. gone  by.  The  fishermen  who  have  learned  the 
divine  art  of  catching  men,  instead  of  toiling  all  night  and 
taking  nothing,  have  had  the  fish  leaping  into  the  Gospel 
net,  as  it  were,  praying  to  be  caught.  The  woman,  with 
the  light  of  the  Holy  Spirit  on  the  word,  has  been  sweep- 
ing her  house;  and  though  there  was  much  rubbish,  and 
the  helpers  were  few,  yet  she  has  left  no  stone  unturned, 
no  part  unsearched,  but  has  kept  the  one  object  of  her 
search — the  lost  piece — in  her  mind  until  she  has  found 
it.  And  oh !  how  many  more  pieces  of  precious  treasure 
has  she  found  than  ever  she  expected !  Her  example 
has  become  contagious;  and  wherever  you  go,  you  find 
the  search  for  souls  going  on,  and  souls  themselves  feel- 
ing they  are  lost.  Special  services  are  being  carried  on 
in  various  parts  of  the  town,  at  each  of  which  souls  are 
finding  joy  and  peace  in  believing." 

MASSES  STILL   COMING. 

"  Having  occasion  to  pay  a  short  visit  to  Birmingham, 
we  reached  Bingley  Hall  in  time  for  Mr.  Moody's  Bible 
reading  on  Wednesday,  January  27th.  Bingley  Hall 
was  built  for  the  Birmingham  Annual  Cattle  Show,  and 
through  the  zeal  of  Christian  friends  it  was  adapted  for 
these  services.  The  interior  forms  a  square  of  about  one 
hundred  yards  each  side.     The  covering  of  the -hall  con- 


300  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

sists  of  five  parallel  roofs,  sustained  at  their  respective 
junctions  by  flat-arched  girders,  upheld  by  a  row  of  sev- 
en pillars.  The  hall  is  lighted  by  sky -lights,  and  at 
night  is  well  illuminated  by  gas.  Toward  the  walls 
sloping  galleries  have  been  extemporized,  backed  by  a 
palisade  covered  with  red  baize ;  and  behind  this  is  a 
second  gallery  of  less  depth,  extending  round  great  part 
of  the  building.  At  one  end  is  the  platform,  and  at  the 
other  the  galleries  rise  to  a  considerable  height.  Ten 
thousand  chairs  have  been  placed  in  the  building;  but 
this  is  exclusive  of  much  room  contained  in  the  galleries, 
so  that  when  the  standing  room  was  also  densely  rilled, 
the  number  of  persons  present  must  have  exceeded  the 
above  figures  by  some  thousands. 

"Wending  one's  way  toward  the  hall,  and  while  still 
three  hundred  yards  off,  the  direction  was  plainly  enough 
indicated  by  boys  selling  the  hymn-book  in  its  various 
editions ;  and  unless  you  were  prepared  to  sit  for  nearly 
two  hours  before  the  meeting  began,  it  was  hopeless  to 
expect  a  fair  hearing-place  at  the  evening  evangelistic 
services. 

"When  the  hall  was  brimming  full  the  doors  were 
locked,  and  the  excluded  hundreds  made  themselves 
from  time  to  time  heard,  in  their  fruitless  attempts  to  ob- 
tain admittance.  The  long  period  of  waiting  was  occu- 
pied by  the  choir  and  audience  singing  from  the  'Songs 
and  Solos'  book.  The  two  r^mns,  'What  shall  the 
Harvest  be?'  and  'The  Great  Phj-sician,'  seemed  favor- 
ites. Speaking  of  the  hymns,  we  may  mention  that  Mr. 
Sankey's  solos  produced  here,  as  elsewhere,  a  visible  im- 
pression. As  has  been  well  remarked,  Mr.  Sankey's  sing- 
ing adorns  and  impresses  Mr.  Moody's  speaking. 


BIRMINGHAM.  301 

"When  Bingley  Hall  began  to  fill  up,  it  was  a  grand 
sight.  To  see  those  rows  and  rows  of  people — not  drawn 
out,  as  on  the  previous  Monday,  to  hear  the  members  for 
the  city  expound  their  political  views,  but  to  meet  the 
great  question,  '  What  shall  I  do  to  be  saved?' — this  was 
a  spirit-stirring  sight.  The  late  honored  Mr.  John  Milne, 
of  Perth,  on  occasion  of  an  extensive  demonstration  in 
welcome  of  royalty,  remarked,  'I  rejoice  in  witnessing 
the  capacity  of  my  fellow-men  to  be  moved  on  a  great 
scale.'  He  intended  by  the  remark,  that  evidence  is  thus 
afforded  that  man  is  made  for  the  great  and  eternal  re- 
lationships, and  will  yet  be  seen  taking  his  place  in  the 
grand  scenes,  when  the  issues  of  these  shall  appear. 
Sight  comes  to  the  aid  of  faith  when  men  can  thus  be 
marshaled  by  thousands  to  listen  to  the  silver  trumpet 
of  the  Gospel,  with  its  double  note  :  '  Flee  from  the 
wrath  to  come;'  'Believe  in  the  Son  of  God.' 

"When  the  first  meeting  on  Wednesday  was  closed, 
it  took  about  an  hour  for  the  narrow  outflowing  streams 
of  people  to  empty  the  hall  sufficiently,  to  enable  Mr. 
Moody  to  deal  with  the  anxious.  These  now,  with  the 
workers,  retired  to  the  galleries.  One  lad  of  eighteen 
was  silently  weeping  in  deep  distress:  'My  sins  can  nev- 
er be  pardoned.'  Others  were  under  various  degrees  of 
impression,  and  some  appeared  to  rest  upon  the  Eock. 

"  The  Friday  Bible-reading  on  '  The  Blood  '  concluded 
with  the  following  weighty  saying :  '  If  you  wish  to 
know  the  secret  of  Mr.  Sankey's  and  my  success  for  the 
last  two  years,  it  lies  here,  that  we  have  stood  fair  and 
square  on  the  Bible  truth  of  the  atonement,  the  substitu- 
tion.    Ah,  that's  what  is  needed  by  a  dying  world !' 

"I  never  realized  Mr.  Moody's  great  evangelistic  pow- 


302  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

ers  so  much  as  when  listening  to  his  concluding  address 
on  'The  Flood.'  Few  could  have  confronted  and  com- 
manded that  sea  of  fifteen  thousand  faces  as  did  this 
shrewd  and  fervent  speaker.  He  expatiated  on  all  the 
features  of  the  scene  in  a  graphic  and  telling  and  trench- 
ant style.  And  all  was  brought  to  bear  and  urged  home 
on  the  vast  assembly,  as  he  besought  the  unsaved  now 
to  flee  to  Christ,  the  ark,  and  so  to  be  safe  from  the  wrath 
to  come. 

"But  there  is  a  deeper  element  in  Mr.  Moody  than  his 
power  of  evangelistic  address.  Many  a  man  would  be 
tempted  to  rest  complacently  in  having  successfully  ad- 
dressed this  vast  audience.  But  success  with  this  fisher 
of  men  means  individual  souls  won  to  Christ.  This  pas- 
sion for  souls  is  the  internal  fire  which  animates  and 
gives  efficiency  to  his  whole  procedure.  A  gentleman 
sitting  by  remarked  of  Mr.  Moody,  'He  is  so  business- 
like: the  anxious  are  his  game — he  must  get  at  them.' 

"  The  meeting  over,  Mr.  Moody  said :  '  Clear  out  the 
central  division  of  the  hall  up  to  the  fourth  pillar,  and 
let  the  anxious  fill  the  space.'  A  large  number  respond- 
ed to  the  invitation.  He  is  drawing  the  net  ashore.  Af- 
ter a  short  explanation  of  the  simplicity  of  faith,  as  trust 
in  Christ,  all  who  think  they  now  so  trust  are  asked  to 
stand  up.  '  I  see  a  few  still  sitting,'  said  Mr.  Moody  ; 
'  let  the  others  go,  and  these  come  aside  into  the  gallery 
for  a  little  further  conversation.'  Thus  not  a  single  soul 
was  permitted  to  escape  without  the  fisherman,  if  possi- 
ble, seizing  it  for  Christ  To  God,  who  alone  giveth  the 
increase,  be  all  the  glory." 


BIRMINGHAM.  303 

FIRST  HOUR. — THE  GREAT  DAY  OF  THE  FEAST. 

An  all-day  convention  was  held  on  Tuesday.  It  was 
attended  by  immense  crowds  throughout  the  day,  and 
many  well-known  ministers  and  others  were  present 
from  London  and  various  towns  in  the  provinces,  as  well 
as  Scotland  and  Ireland.  Mr.  Moody  presided  through- 
out the  day  with  his  usual  tact  and  energ}^. 

The  proceedings  commenced  at  ten  o'clock,  and  the 
morning's  programme  consisted  of  three  parts — namely,  a 
service  of  praise,  conducted  by  Mr.  Sankey  ;  a  lecture  on 
"  Works,"  by  Mr.  Moody ;  and  a  discussion  on  prayer- 
meetings  and  how  to  conduct  them,  led  by  Mr.  Moody. 
The  afternoon's  services  were  as  follows:  From  one  to 
three,  a  discussion  on  "How  are  the  Masses  of  the  Peo- 
ple to  be  reached?"  and  from  three  to  four,  Mr.  Moody 
answered  questions  on  various  practical  subjects  in  con- 
nection with  the  movement. 

Mr.  Sankey  then  addressed  the  meeting.  He  said  it 
was  stated  that  in  the  Bible  more  was  said  about  praise 
than  prayer.  If  they  went  into  our  churches  and  took  a 
survey,  they  would  see  a  great  deal  more  prayer  than 
praise.  He,  on  the  other  hand,  believed  praj^er  would 
be  more  availing  if  there  was  more  praise  in  it.  It  was 
very  singular  how  much  more  important  singing  was  in 
the  olden  time ;  and  looking  back  over  the  history  of 
this  country,  they  would  find  that  whenever  the  Church 
of  God  had  revived,  the  singing  of  his  praise  had  re- 
vived. He  referred  to  several  incidents  in  the  Old  Tes- 
tament where  the  people  went  before  the  army  singing, 
"Praise  the  Lord,  for  his  mercy  endureth  forever." 
This,  it  seemed,  was  all  God  wanted  them  to  do.     He 


304  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

gave  them  the  victory,  and  it  took  three  days  to  gather 
up  the  spoil.  He  hoped  it  would  take  three  times  three, 
not  days,  but  years,  to  gather  up  the  spoil  from  the  meet- 
ing, for  he  thought  there  had  been  many  Philistines  slain 
while  they  had  been  singing  to  God.  Indeed,  he  had 
received  many  letters,  from  strangers,  saying,  "  While 
you  were  praising  God  in  singing,  my  heart  was  opened, 
and  I  gave  it  to  Jesus." 

Paul  and  Silas,  when  they  got  in  the  stocks,  and  their 
backs  were  lacerated  with  stripes,  prayed,  and  then  sung 
praises  unto  God;  and  the  prisoners  heard  it,  and  the 
prison  began  to  shake.  When  they  prayed,  the  prison 
did  not  shake;  but  when  they  offered  up  praise  to  God, 
the  whole  prison  rocked  to  its  foundation.  How  many 
prisoners,  bound  by  Satan  and  sin,  had  heard  the  joyful 
sounds,  and  their  bonds  had  been  loosed,  as  those  prison- 
ers were  that  night!  An  aged  divine  in  Scotland  had 
said  one  line  of  praise  was  better  than  a  whole  page  of 
prayer.  In  conclusion,  Mr.  Sankey  said  it  came  ill  from 
him  to  speak  to  those  good  men  present  in  the  way  of 
offering  advice,  but  they  did  need  to  reach  the  young 
men,  and  to  lead  them  away  from  the  world  into  the 
Christian  Church.  He  then  asked  the  meeting  to  join 
with  him  in  the  blessed  hvmn  he  loved  so  much,  suns: 
in  Scotland,  the  "Old  Hundredth  Psalm." 

Mr.  Sankey  gave  the  hymn  commencing  "I  have  en- 
tered the  valley  of  blessing  so  sweet." 

The  Rev.  H.  Morgan,  of  Edinburgh,  said  he  was  glad 
to  come  and  bear  testimony  that  "the  Lord  had  done  a 
great  thing  for  them  "  in  Edinburgh,  and  in  Scotland. 
It  had  been  in  Scotland  a  year  of  praise.  There  had 
been    more    heart -singing   in   Scotland  during  the  last 


BIRMINGHAM.  305 

twelve  months  than  for  a  generation  before.  The  Gos- 
pel had  been  carried  to  places  where  before  it  was  scarce- 
ly heard,  and  young  men  who  could  not  speak  for  Christ 
had  been  inspired  to  sing  for  him ;  and  many  hearts 
were  won  to  Christ  by  some  swreet  song  by  one  whose 
heart  was  attuned  by  the  Spirit.  The  visit  of  Messrs. 
Moody  and  Sankey  was  a  grand  thing  for  them  in  Scot- 
land, and  it  had  been  wonderfully  successful,  and  espe- 
cially had  it  wrought  a  wonderful  change  in  the  singing, 
for  they  had  no  doubt  heard  that  Scotch  singing  was 
rather  gloomy  and  sad  in  its  nature.  In  conclusion,  he 
prayed  God  to  bless  Birmingham  as  he  had  blessed  Edin- 
burgh. 

Hymn  49  was  sung  by  the  congregation ;  and  the 
Eev.  E.  K  Keeling,  of  Manchester,  addressed  the  meet- 
ing. He  said  that  during  the  last  two  months  there  was 
a  unity  among  the  Christian  churches  such  as  six  months 
ago  would  not  have  been  thought  possible.  And  since 
Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  had  left  them  they  had  even 
more  cause  to  be  thankful  than  during  their  visit.  Their 
Monday  prayer-meetings,  held  in  the  Free  Trade  Hall, 
were  largely  attended,  and  they  continually  received  re- 
ports of  the  spread  of  the  work. 

SECOND   HOUR. — MR.    MOODY   ON    CHRISTIAN  WORK. 

Mr.  Moody  opened  the  second  meeting  immediately 
after  the  close  of  the  first  writh  a  brief  prayer  of  thanks 
for  the  good  news  they  had  heard,  hoping  the  good  work 
would  continue;  and  for  blessings  on  the  services,  trust- 
ing that  a  fire  would  be  kindled  that  would  spread  to 
every  town  and  city  in  England.  Mr.  Sankey  having 
sung  the  18th  hymn,  Mr.  Moody  said  the  subject  for  the 


306  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

next  hour's  meeting  was  "Work."  He  then  called  their 
attention  to  John  xv.,  7-11,  and  Titus  ii.,  2,  etc.  The 
man  who  thoroughly  knew  the  Bible  could  not  help  but 
work  for  God.  They  could  not  get  water  out  of  a  dry 
well.  But  if  the  word  was  in  their  hearts,  then  the  Holy 
Ghost  will  be  as  a  fire  within  them,  and,  like  Samson's 
foxes  with  their  tails  on  fire,  would  set  the  Philistines' 
corn  on  fire.  He  then  alluded  to  the  water  used  by 
John  the  Baptist  in  baptism,  the  living  water  of  the  well 
of  Samaria,  which,  as  soon  as  it  bubbled  up  in  the  breast 
of  a  woman,  she  went  to  the  town  and  told  every  body. 
One  man  might  have  no  gold,  but  only  silver ;  another 
might  have  brass,  and  another  only  oil ;  but  they  were 
all  useful  in  constructing  the  ark  and  tabernacle.  In 
2  Thessalonians  ii.,  17,  Paul  said,  "And  stablish  you  in 
every  good  word  and  work."  Men  very  often  establish 
themselves  in  their  own  conceit.  One  day  a  little  boy 
who  had  been  converted  said  to  his  parent,  "  Father,  you 
are  a  Christian,  an't  you?"  "Yes."  "Well,  you  never 
sing,  and  you  never  talk  about.  Christ;  and  then  you 
don't  go  to  the  prayer-meetings."  "  Oh,  I  have  got  estab- 
lished now,"  said  the  father;  " I  am  not  carried  away  by 
every  new  doctrine."  There  were  a  great  many  who  es- 
tablished themselves  in  like  manner. 

A  hymn  was  sung  by  Mr.  Sankey,  and,  after  prayer, 
the  next  meeting  was  proceeded  with. 

m THIRD  HOUR. — HOW  TO  CONDUCT  PRAYER-MEETINGS. 

The  66th  hymn  was  sung,  and  the  congregation  bow- 
ed their  heads  for  a  few  minutes  in  silent  pra}Ter.  The 
Rev.  C.  D.  Snepp  and  Mr.  Moody  prayed  that  the  bless- 
ing of  God  might  attend  all  Christian  workers. 


BIRMINGHAM.  307 

Mr.  Moody  stated  that  during  the  next  hour  he  want- 
ed to  talk  a  little  about  prayer-meetings.  There  were  a 
few  things  which  his  friends  in  England  might  learn  from 
America,  and  there  were  many  things  they  would  like  to 
have  in  America  which  existed  in  England.  They  would 
like  their  country  people  to  give  a  good  deal  more  atten- 
tion to  the  study  of  the  Bible :  that  was  a  leaf  he  want- 
ed to  take  out  of  the  English  book.  But  the  prayer- 
meetings  in  America,  as  a  general  rule,  were  much  bet- 
ter than  in  England.  When  the  revival  of  1857  and 
1858  took  place,  and  half  a  million  were  brought  into 
the  Church,  a  great  many  people  discussed  the  question, 
"  Is  it  going  to  last?"  and  a  good  many  thought  it  was 
only  like  a  moving  cloud  that  would  soon  be  gone.  But 
their  experience  of  that  work  was  that  they  found  of  their 
most  eminent  men,  Sabbath-school  superintendents,  and 
elders,  a  great  part  were  converted  at  that  time.  We 
lived  in  wonderful  days.  We  could  not  tell  what  was 
before  us.  Every  post  brought  tidings  of  success  in 
towns  and  villages  throughout  the  United  Kingdom. 
There  never  was  a  time  when  people  wanted  to  hear  the 
Gospel  as  they  did  now. 

A  great  many  of  the  rooms  in  England  in  which  prayer- 
meetings  were  held  were  dark  and  gloomy,  not  well  light- 
ed, and  often  not  clean  and  cheerful,  and  often  they  were 
used  as  day-schools.  It  made  a  man  gloomy  and  sleepy 
in  spite  of  himself,  and  the  minister  could  not  make  out 
how  it  was  people  were  so  drowsy.  They  needed  venti- 
lation. And  then  they  should  not  allow  the  people  to 
sit  all  over  the  room,  as  if  afraid  to  touch  one  another. 
He  particularly  asked  them  to  guard  against  all  stiffness 
and  formality  in  the  conduct  of  the  meetings.     They 


308  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

should  make  their  prayers  short  and  pithy,  and  endeav- 
or to  get  people  to  earnestly  assist  in  the  work.  People 
would  say  this  was  enthusiasm.  Do  not  be  so  afraid  of 
enthusiasm. 

One  good  plan  with  regard  to  these  meetings  was  for 
the  minister  to  announce  from  the  pulpit  a  certain  por- 
tion of  Scripture  as  the  subject  of  the  next  prayer-meet- 
ing, and  ask  somebody  to  speak  on  it.  It  was  well  to 
hold  a  praise-meeting  once  in  a  while,  and  let  the  people 
utter  praises  to  God,  and  have  a  variety  in  the  meetings. 
If  a  man  went  into  a  business  and  he  found  it  did  not 
do,  he  tried  another;  and,  in  the  name  of  common  sense, 
if  one  way  would  not  bring  people  to  their  meetings,  try 
another.  Why  should  not  the  young  convert  be  allow- 
ed to  come  to  the  social  prayer-meeting  and  tell  what  the 
Lord  was  doing?  A  good  many  people  did  not  believe 
in  written  requests,  but  if  he  had  a  son  who  was  a  way- 
ward boy,  he  did  not  see  why  he  should  not  come  and 
ask  that  meeting  to  pray  for  the  boy.  He  would  ask 
them  to  expect  great  things  from  God,  and  they  would 
not  be  disappointed. 

Mr.  Chown  (Bradford)  engaged  in  prayer,  and  the  53d 
hymn  was  sung  by  the  congregation. 

Eev.  Mr.  Best  (Dublin)  bore  out  the  accounts  already 
given  of  the  revival  movement  in  Ireland,  and  stated 
that  prayer  had  been  wonderfully  answered  there.  He 
believed  they  had  had  larger  meetings  in  Dublin  than 
any  held  elsewhere  perhaps,  people  having  come  from 
all  parts  of  the  provinces,  staying  in  the  city  for  days 
on  purpose  to  take  part  in  the  meetings.  The  hymns  of 
Mr.  Sankey  were  being  sung  all  over  the  country  with 
great  heartiness,  and  he  had  heard  many  speak  of  the 


BIRMINGHAM.  309 

message  their  dear  Brothers  Moody  and  Sankey  brought 
home  to  their  hearts.  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey 's 
names  would  be  remembered  in  connection  with  the 
Church  history  of  Ireland,  and  he  was  sure  if  ever  they 
returned  they  would  be  most  enthusiastically  welcomed. 

Mr.  Moody  offered  up  a  prayer,  beseeching  God  to  re- 
vive his  work  in  this  country.  He  returned  thanks  for 
the  gracious  revival  now  going  on  in  Ireland,  Scotland, 
and  England,  and  he  implored  God  to  prepare  the  way 
for  them  in  Liverpool  and  in  London.  He  asked  that 
London  might  be  shaken  as  it  never  had  been  before, 
and  that  a  great  work  misfht  sro  on  there  during  the  next 
few  months  which  would  shake  the  world. 

There  was  then  an  interval  of  five  minutes,  to  allow 
persons  to  retire  who  wished  to  do  so,  after  which  Mr. 
R  W.  Dale  offered  up  a  prayer,  thanking  God  for  all  the 
manifestations  of  his  mercy  and  power  which  had  been 
witnessed  in  that  town  during  the  last  few  days,  and 
praising  the  Almighty  that  his  promises,  which  had  often 
been  forgotten  on  earth,  had  at  no  time  been  forgotten  in 
heaven. 

Question  for  the  next  hour,  "How  to  reach  the  Mass- 
es." Rev.  R.  W.  Dale  spoke  with  great  force  and  elo- 
quence as  follows:  "Some  people  were  always  talking  as 
though  among  the  working  classes  of  this  country  there 
was  definite  disbelief,  and  as  though  they  had  never  heard 
the  Gospel.  That  was  a  false  impression.  Wh}^,  vast 
numbers  of  these  people  had  not  to  be  taught  to  enter 
the  church  for  the  first  time.  A  vast  proportion  of  the 
working  people  of  this  country  had  been  trained  in 
Sunday-schools.  They  were  once  under  power  of  the 
Church,  and  the  Church  let  them  go. 


310  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

"  How  were  they  to  prepare  for  the  great  work  of 
reaching,  not  the  masses  of  the  people  in  a  particular 
town,  but  the  whole  race?  The  Lord  told  his  apostles, 
who  were  charged  with  this  great  duty,  to  wait  in  Jeru- 
salem until  the  power  came  upon  them  from  above,  and 
he  believed  that  what  we  most  of  all  want  were  not  new 
methods,  but  new  means  of  power  —  not  new  plans  of 
preaching  the  Gospel,  but  new  faith  in  the  Gospel — and 
when  once  we  had  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  with,  us,  and 
were  conscious  of  his  presence  with  us,  we  might  depend 
upon  it  the  common  people,  who  heard  him  gladly  in 
the  days  of  his  flesh,  would  hear  him  gladly  still  when 
he  preached  through  the  lips  of  his  ministers. 

"There  was  not  any  need,  when  the  Lord  was  giving 
sight  to  the  blind,  and  raising  the  dead  to  life,  for  the 
disciples  to  have  held  conferences  in  order  to  consider 
how  the  news  should  travel.  It  went  itself.  The -Mas- 
ter told  the  man  that  he  should  say  nothing  about  it ;  but 
he  could  not  help  talking  about  it,  and  so  brought  large 
crowds  about  Him,  even  at  a  time  when  He  desired  to  be 
in  solitude.  The  people  whom  he  had  seen  in  {he  gal- 
leries of  that  hall  night  after  night  did  not  need  to  be 
preached  to  about  telling  their  neighbors  as  to  what  they 
had  found  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  He  had  seen  men 
who  came  to  that  hall  without  any  religious  thought  or 
anxiety,  struck  by  the  power  of  truth,  passing  away, 
when  the  service  was  over,  with  hearts  overflowing  with 
good,  because  the  earth  had  become  full  of  unearthly 
beauty,  and  all  heaven  was  brought  to  them  in  the  light 
of  God. 

"Let  the  Holy  Ghost  be  with  them,  and  no  matter 
what  their  methods  were,  or  their  plans,  they  might  be 


BIRMINGHAM.  311 

sure  of  this,  that  the  results  of  that  power  would  be  such 
as  to  compel  the  vast  masses  to  come  and  receive  the 
truth.  When  the  Spirit  came  to  the  unlearned  fisher- 
men of  Galilee,  the  power  of  speaking  in  other  tongues 
was  given  to  them  ;  but  we  should  not  require  to  speak, 
except  in  a  language  that  should  touch  the  hearts  and 
startle  the  consciences  of  the  masses.  Some  time  ago 
a  gentleman  in  this  town  drew  an  illustration,  and  he 
said  that  when  the  child's  foot  grew  they  must  get  a  big- 
ger shoe.  They  must  not  keep  their  old  forms  and  old 
methods,  if  they  found  them  painful  and  restrictive;  but 
they  must  not  get  a  bigger  shoe  than  the  child's  foot 
wanted.  Let  the  forms  and  life  go  together.  If  they 
tried  to  get  methods  of  work  for  which  they  had  not  the 
life,  they  would  find  that  they  were  worse  off  than  before. 
So  far  as  he  knew,  Christ  did  not  give  any  form  of  ec- 
clesiastical government  to  the  Church,  but  only  life  and 
light  to  work  out  the  great  power  with  which  it  wTas 
charged.  He  should  like  to  finish  what  he  had  to  say 
by  referring  to  the  motto  on  the  other  side  of  that  hall : 
'Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord,  and  he  shall  sustain 
thee.'  In  the  first  place,  it  was  not  their  burden.  If 
they  were  to  cast  their  own  burdens  upon  the  Lord,  much 
more  it  would  be  better  for  them,  for  it  was  for  him  to 
save  men  from  sin  and  practical  death.  They  must 
preach  the  Gospel,  believing  they  were  doing  Christ's 
work — that  it  was  Christ's  concern  to  make  converts — 
and  they  would  have  Christ's  blessing." 

Mr.  Moody  was  as  practical  as  ever  in  his  answers  to 
the  questions  sent  in ;  and,  if  those  who  sent  them  will 
only  apply  those  answers,  we.  think  the  hour  devoted  to 
the  "Question  Drawer"  will  be  the  most  fruitful  of  any. 


312  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

BINGLEY  HALL. 

At  the  meeting  in  Bingley  Hall  on  Friday  evening, 
Mr.  Moody  said:  "I  was  very  dejected  last  night.  Our 
meetings  have  been  so  much  blessed  that  an  effort  was 
put  forth  to  get  Bingley  Hall  for  another  week.  When 
we  got  home  last  evening,  we  found  a  dispatch  from  a 
gentleman,  saying  we  could  not  have  the  hall.  I  was 
greatly  depressed  all  day.  Now,  however,  I  have  just 
been  told  we  may  yet  obtain  the  hall  for  another  week. 
But  the  committee  are  wavering  a  little,  as  they  have 
some  fears  the  people  will  not  come  out  to  the  meetings 
next  week.  We  have  had  good  committees  wherever  we 
have  been ;  but  we  have  never  had  a  better  committee 
than  the  Birmingham  one,  and  I  know  they  will  come 
to  a  wise  decision.  But  if  you  are  anxious  about  your 
souls,  you'll  attend  the  meetings.  We'll  get  several  gen- 
tlemen to  speak,  and  we  hope  you'll  rally  round  them 
and  the  committee.  We  have  had  great  blessings  in 
other  towns;  but  I  think  we  never  met  with  any  thing 
that  came  up  to  this — to  our  meetings  in  Birmingham. 
I  must  say  I've  never  enjoyed  preaching  the  Gospel 
more  than  I  have  done  since  we  came  to  Birmingham. 
We've  reached  so  many  people.  I  only  wish  we  could 
have  such  a  hall  wherever  we  go.  I  think  if  we  could 
only  take  up  Bingley  Hall,  we  would  carry  it  round  the 
world  with  us,  as  a  place  in  which  to  preach  the  Gospel 
to  all  men.  But  I  would  like  you  Birmingham  people 
to  go  with  us.  Well,  then,  if  we  do  our  best  to  get 
speakers  for  another  week,  will  you  do  your  best  to  get 
hearers  for  the  speakers?"  .  (Many  cries  of  "Yes,  yes.") 
"  Well,  keep    your   promise.     Why,  almost    any    man 


BIBMINOEAM.  313 

could  speak  in  this  hall  to  such  a  meeting  as  this.  The 
very  sight  of  you  is  sufficient  to  make  a  dog  bark. 
I'll  telegraph  off  to  Liverpool  and  London  to  send  us  all 
the  help  they  can.  There  will  be  a  service  on  Sunday 
afternoon,  when  one  of  your  own  ministers  will  preach. 
On  Monday  night  you'll  have  a  thanksgiving  service. 
Come  to  it  to  thank  God  for  having  answered  our 
prayers  to  bless  these  meetings.  Has  God  not  answered 
your  prayers?"  (Cries  of  "Yes,  yes.")  "  Then  on  Tues- 
day we'll  get  some  one  else  to  speak.  On  Wednesday 
there  will  be  the  usual  services  in  the  churches  and- chap- 
els. On  Thursday  night  there  will  be  another  speaker. 
On  Friday  I  will  come  back,  on  my  way  to  Liverpool, 
and  we'll  have  a  meeting  for  all  the  converts.  Wow,  let 
all  rise  who  will  support  the  committee  and  attend  the 
different  meetings."  (Almost  the  entire  audience  stood 
up  in  response  to  this  appeal.)  "  Yes;  the  committee  are 
quite  satisfied.  We'll  go  on,  then.  Pray  there  may  be 
hundreds  and  thousands  converted  next  week.  If  things 
do  not  always  please  you,  don't  complain;  just  pray. 
Pray  for  a  great  blessing  next  week." 

INQUIRY-MEETINGS. 

Mr.  Moody  remarked  that  perhaps  there  was  nothing 
so  much  spoken  against  as  inquiry-meetings.  His  desire 
was  to  remove  any  prejudice  which  existed  upon  this 
matter.  He  invited  the  meeting  to  turn  to  the  third 
chapter  of  St.  Luke,  and  pointed  out  that  in  the  ninth 
verse  it  was  stated,  "And  now,  also,  the  axe  is  laid  unto 
the  root  of  the  tree ;  every  tree  therefore  which  bringeth 
not  forth  good  fruit  is  hewn  down,  and  cast  into  the  fire. 
And  the  people  asked  him,  saying,  What  shall  we  do 

14 


314  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  QBE  AT  BRITAIN. 

then?"  Mr.  Moody  said  that  was  an  inquiry-meeting. 
He  referred  to  the  baptism  of  the  publican  who  said, 
"What  shall  we  do?"  That  was  another  inquiry.  He 
(the  speaker)  had  often  been  amazed  with  some  people 
who  had  sat  under  the  Gospel  for  years,  but  did  not 
know  their  right  hand  from  their  left  in  religious  mat- 
ters. After  quoting  some  other  passages  in  illustration 
of  the  spirit  of  inquiry  which  characterized  the  people  in 
the  time  of  Christ,  Mr.  Moody  alluded  to  the  not  uncom- 
mon expression  of  opinion  that  the  institution  of  inqui- 
ry-meetings meant  the  establishment  of  the  confessional. 
Such  an  opinion  was  the  result  of  ignorance;  and  he 
contended  that  the  inquiry-room  was  not  a  place  of  con- 
fession, and  that  if  they  had  more  inquiry -meetings 
people  would  not  be  drifting  so  much  toward  Eome. 
Preaching  would  be  better  if  they  had  more  inquiry- 
meetings,  and  the  plan  of  salvation  would  be  more  eluci- 
dated. He  gave  some  further  examples  from  the  Gos- 
pels, showing  the  results  of  inquiry  of  Christ,  who  was 
constantly  having  inquiry-meetings,  such  meetings  being 
perfectly  Scriptural.  The  Lord  could  convert  every  soul 
in  Birmingham  without  the  help  of  the  people  of  the 
town,  but  he  would  have  them  bear  in  mind  that  he  did 
not.  They  must  remember  that  it  was  an  exalted  privi- 
lege to  be  a  co-worker  with  Christ.  One  inquiry  meet- 
ing was  better  than  a  great  deal  of  preaching.  He  would 
tell  them  what  Birmingham  wanted — a  thousand  Chris- 
tian workers  in  Bingley  Hall  that  night,  that  they  might 
be  looking  out  for  people  watching  for  salvation.  They 
would  find  inquirers  every  night.  Last  night  there  were 
inquirers  trembling  from  head  to  foot,  as  though  they 
were  afraid  their  names  would  get  into  the  daily  papers. 


BIRMINGHAM.  315 

He  suggested  that  they  should  endeavor  to  remove  all 
prejudice ;  that  young  men  should  speak  to  young  men, 
that  young  maidens  should  speak  to  young  maidens,  with 
a  view  of  helping  one  another  and  those  who  were  un- 
der conviction.  There  had  been  a  hundred  blessed  in 
their  inquiry-meetings  while  one  had  been  blessed  in  the 
first  meeting.  The  second  meeting  was  where  the  way 
was  explained  and  difficulty  removed.  An  inquiry- 
meeting  would  do  more  than  a  five-hours'  sermon. 

INCIDENTS,  ETC.,  RELATED   AT  THE   MEETINGS. 

Mr.  Moody  read  and  spoke  at  noon  on  Gen.  xxxii., 
24-30 :  "And  Jacob  was  left  alone."  Jacob  prevailed 
when  alone.  Every  one  of  us  should  be  a  little  more 
alone  with  God  for  meditation  and  praj^er.  A  man 
wrestled  with  Jacob,  and  when  Jacob  had  had  his  thigh 
put  out  of  joint  he  still  held  on  to  him.  "I  will  not  let 
thee  go,  except  thou  bless  me."  To  be  emptied  of  self, 
and  powerless,  and  yet  to  hold  on,  is  the  way  to  win— the 
way  to  get  a  blessing  for  ourselves  and  others. 

A  little  boy  was  dying,  and  he  said  to  his  minister 
that  he  would  like  to  do  something  for  Jesus  before  he 
died,  to  show  his  gratitude  for  what  he  had  done  for 
him.  The  minister  said  he  could  work  for  Jesus  if  he 
put  down  on  paper  the  names  of  all  those  he  wished 
brought  to  Christ,  and  prayed  for  the  conversion  of  each. 

The  minister  went  away,  and  forgot  the  matter ;  not 
so  the  boy.  Shortly  there  arose  a  revival  of  religion  in 
that  district,  and  special  meetings  were  held.  The  fa- 
ther of  the  boy,  a  godly  man,  took  part  in  them,  and  ev- 
ery night  when  he  returned  home  his  son  inquired  with 
an  intense  interest,  which  surprised  him,  about  this  one 


316  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

and  that  one,  if  he  had  been  impressed,  or  she  had  come 
to  Christ,  and  when  the  answer  was  "  No,"  he  just  turn- 
ed to  the  wall  and  prayed.  The  little  boy  died,  and  un- 
der his  pillow  was  found  a  paper  containing  a  list  of 
fifty -six  names  for  whom  he  prayed,  all  of  whom  had 
been  brought  to  Christ.  Let  us  labor  fervently  in 
prayer,  and  God  will  bless. 

ANOTHER  INCIDENT  ILLUSTRATES  .GOD7S  LOVE. 

I  know  of  no  one  of  the  many  blessed  hymns  which  has 
more  struck  the  heart  and  arrested  attention  than  that 
sweet  one  whose  chorus  begins,  "Oh,  'twas  love,  'twas 
wondrous  love,  the  love  of  God  to  me."  This  love  and 
its  manifestation  are  the  theme  of  every  sermon,  and,  of 
course,  God  owns  it.  Ministers  wonder  at  failure,  and 
try  to  discover  the  cause ;  a  week  of  services  such  as  Bir- 
mingham has  had  for  the  last  fortnight,  I  think,  must  an- 
swer the  question,  "What  is  the  cause  of  failure?"  for  we 
have  seen  in  the  crowded  meetings,  in  the  overwhelming 
number  of  anxious  ones,  in  the  utter  breaking-down  of 
strong  men,  the  secret  of  success.  The  wondrous  love  of 
God  has  been  the  weapon  which  has  been  used  ;  failure  in 
■using  this  weapon  has  been  the  cause  of  failure  in  result. 
Never  has  Birmingham  been  so  mightily  moved ;  in  the 
workshops  Sankey's  songs  are  sung,  and  men  who  cared 
for  none  of  these  things  are  anxiously  inquiring  after  the 
good  news.  Oh,  may  our  God  carry  on  the  work  begun 
with  mighty  power! 

Two  and  a  half  years  ago,  Mr.  Moody  and  some  oth- 
ers were  in  an  upper  room  in  Dublin,  where  they  spent 
almost  the  whole  night  in  prayer  for  God's  Spirit.  Al- 
most every  one  who  was  present  that  night  has  since 


BIRMINGHAM.  317 

that  time  been  made  a  blessing  to  others.  The  Spirit 
was  very  manifestly  present  that  evening;  I  know  Mr. 
Moody  was  delighted  with  it.  He  said  of  it,  that  the 
Spirit  was  there  in  great  power.  Now  this  is  what  yon 
want:  get  near  to  God  and  keep  there.  Do  not  leave 
until  you  get  the  blessing.  God  says  unto  us,  "  If  thou 
wouldst  believe,  thou  shalt  see  the  glory  of  God."  He 
will  make  bare  his  holy  arm,  and  do  great  things  for  us. 

Kev.'F.  Stephens  said:  "I  heard  Mr.  Moody  last  Fri- 
day tell  the  story  of  the  miller  floating  down  the  river 
toward  the  rapids,  and  who  seized  the  twig  and  held  on 
until  a  rope  was  lowered  to  him ;  then  he  let  the  twig  go 
at  once,  and,  grasping  the  rope,  was  saved.  When  I 
heard  this  story  I  was  forcibly  reminded  of  a  somewhat 
similar  case,  which  I  had  heard  from  the  lips  of  the  min- 
ister who  was  the  means  of  leading  me  at  first  to  salva- 
tion : 

"A  man  of  intelligence  and  good  education,  who  had 
for  a  long  time  been  under  deep  conviction  of  sin,  was 
very  anxious  to  find  peace.  He  tried  to  accept  it  as  it 
■was  offered,  but  somehow  he  could  not.  You  have  often 
noticed  how  the  engrossing  thoughts  of  the  day  will  visit 
us  in  our  dreams.  One  night  he  dreamed  that  he  was 
walking  along  the  edge  of  a  terrible  precipice,  and  fell 
over  into  a  horrible  abyss.  As  he  was  falling,  he  grasped 
a  little  branch  of  some  bush  that  was  growing  half-way 
down.  There  he  hung,  and  cried  for  help.  He  could 
feel  the  branch  giving  way.  He  looked  into  the  black 
yawning  gulf  beneath,  and  again  cried  out  for  help. 
Looking  up,  he  saw,  in  his  dream,  Christ  standing  on  the 
edge,  and  saying,  '  Let  go  the  twig,  and  I  will  save  you.' 
Looking  at  the  terrible  abyss  below,  he  could  not.     He 


318     THE  WORK  OF  GOD   ZV  GREAT  BRITAIN 

cried  again,  and  again  came  the  same  answer.  At  length 
he  felt  the  branch  slipping,  and  in  the  utter  desperate- 
ness  of  his  despair  he  let  go  the  branch,  when,  lo!  in 
an  instant  the  arms  of  Jesus  were  about  him,  and  he  was 
safe.  He  awoke.  It  was  but  a  dream ;  but  it  made 
such  an  impression  on  him,  that,  casting  away  every 
thought  of  self,  he  cast  himself  upon  Jesus,  and  found  at 
once  the  long-sought  peace.  Let  every  one  learn  to  let 
go  the  branch,  let  go  every  earthly  hope,  and  he  will  fall 
into  the  Saviour's  arms." 

A  Gospel  address  in  the  evening  concluded  the  first 
week's  labor  in  Birmingham — a  week  long  to  be  remem- 
bered by  thousands  in  this  large  town.  It  is  a  solemn 
thought  that  the  death-rate  in  Birmingham  for  a  great 
many  weeks  has  run  from  thirty  to  forty  per  thousand. 
At  this  rate,  four  hundred  and  fifty  of  those  assembled 
at  any  one  meeting  in  that  hall  may  be  appointed  to 
death  this  year — may  never  see  its  close !  May  the  liv- 
ing lay  it  to  heart! 

On  Sunday  last,  in  the  course  of  an  address  to  upward 
of  ten  thousand  men  in  the  Victoria  Hall,  Mr.  Moody,  in 
enforcing  the  character  of  Christ  as  a  Saviour,  said  that 
he  could  save  a  man  from  the  sin  of  drunkenness.  Some 
persons  had  asked  if  he  (Mr.  Moody)  was  a  teetotaller, 
and,  if  he  was,  to  speak  out  and  say  so.  He  meant  to 
tell  them  that  night.  He  was  a  teetotaller,  and  he  prayed 
God  most  earnestly  that  all  men  might  be  delivered 
from  the  curse  of  strong  drink.  [This  expression  of 
opinion  was  followed  by  a  loud  clapping  of  hands  and 
stamping  of  feet  throughout  the  building,  which  were 
silenced  when  Mr.  Moody  exclaimed,  "Don't  clap  your 
hands  and  make  a  noise,  but  become  teetotallers."]     With 


BIRMINGHAM.  319 

regard  to  drink,  he  further  remarked  that  some  people 
said  they  could  not  do  a  day's  work  without  drink ;  for 
himself  he  found  he  could  do  best  without  it,  and  he  did 
not  mean  to  touch  it. 

A  young  apprentice  who  had  been  quite  careless  was 
arrested  by  the  statement,  in  the  parable  of  the  Talents, 
that  the  one  talent  of  the  slothful  servant  was  taken  from 
him,  and  given  to  him  who  had  ten  talents.  This  was 
a  doom  which  he  felt  he  had  incurred,  and  he  became 
deeply  anxious.  He  tried  to  conceal  his  emotion,  but 
at  family  worship  he  broke  down  and  cried  for  mercy. 
He  was  taken  to  a  room  by  himself,  and  was  told  to  read 
aloud  John  iii.,  16,  "  God  so  loved  the  world,"  etc.,  and 
was  asked  if  it  met  his  case.  "  No,"  he  said.  "  Then 
read  it  again."  He  did  so  ten  times.  Then  he  was  told 
to  read  the  last  portion  alone,  "That  whosoever"  etc.  He 
then  fell  on  his  knees,  exclaiming,  "Lord,  I  thank  thee 
for  saving  my  soul !"  He  then  ran  to  his  master,  and 
cried,  "  The  Lord  has  taken  away  all  my  sin  !"  He  sung 
hymns  till  he  was  tired;  and  when  people  said  he  was 
excited,  he  said,  "  How  can  I  be  otherwise,  when  I  feel 
I  have  been  saved  from  the  grasp  of  the  wicked  one?" 
Next  morning  a  customer  came  into  the  shop,  and  the 
lad's  salutation  was,  "  I  am  saved  I"  He  still  goes  on  re- 
joicing in  Christ. 

Parents  have  been  aroused  to  more  fervent  prayer  and 
expectation  that  God  would  bless  their  children  and  draw 
them  to  himself.  Speaking  to  a  Christian  mother  about 
her  four  children,  who  had  long  been  the  objects  of  our 

prayerful  interest,  I  said,  "Has said  any  thing  to 

you  ?"     "  No,  sir."     "  Has spoken  to  you  ?"     "  No, 

sir;  why?"     "Has ,  the  third,  told  you  any  thing? 


320  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

Has ?"  mentioning  the  youngest,  a  dear  youth  of 

sixteen.  "No,  sir,"  said  the  mother,  her  eyes  filling  with 
tears.  "  My  dear  friend,  they  have  each  been  to  me,  and 
avowed  their  faith  in  and  love  to  Jesus  as  their  Saviour. 
Mr.  Moody's  meetings  for  inquirers  have  been  greatly 
blessed  to  them."  "Oh,  sir,"  said  the  mother,  "I  felt  it 
must  be  so ;  for  I  was  sure  God  would  answer  our 
prayers." 

What  more  delightful  than  to  listen  to  the  record  of 
a  Sabbath's  work  for  the  Master!  A  clergyman  of  a 
neighboring  church,  after  gratefully  acknowledging  the 
health  and  blessing  brought  to  his  own  soul,  said  that 
after  evening  service  he  asked  any  anxious  about  their 
souls'  salvation  to  meet  him  in  the  adjoining  school- 
room. To  his  great  joy,  some  fifty  assembled.  A  Wes- 
leyan  minister  said  that  no  such  sight  had  been  seen  in 
his  chapel  for  years  as  on  that  Sunday.  After  the  even- 
ing service,  he  invited  all  who  wished  to  become  Chris- 
tians and  there  and  then  to  give  themselves  to  God,  to 
come  forward  to  the  front  seats.  Some  thirty  at  once 
responded,  young  men,  young  women,  with  some  elder 
people  from  the  congregation.  A  minister  of  the  Meth- 
odist Free  Church  declared  that  Lord's  Day  to  have 
been  one  of  the  happiest  in  his  life.  Having  announced 
from  the  pulpit  during  morning  service  that  he  would 
be  in  the  class-room  in  the  afternoon  to  meet  inquirers, 
what  was  his  delight  at  finding  the  room  filled!  So  also 
a  Presbyterian  minister,  after  a  day  of  solemn,  happy 
worship,  was  waited  upon  at  its  close  by  nine  anxious 
inquirers  in  his  vestry. 

Mr.  Moody  stated  that  a  man  present  had  come  seven- 
ty  miles  in  the  hope  of  being  saved  at  the  meetings.     He 


BIRMINGHAM.  321 

would  go  home  that  evening.  Mr.  Moody  appealed  to 
him  to  trust  in  Christ,  and  gave  an  incident  of  a  young 
lady  in  America  who  came  to  himself,  and  said  she  wish- 
ed to  be  saved,  but  was  sick  of  hearing  "Believe;1'  but 
when  urged  to  "trust  Jesus  for  the  salvation  of  her  soul," 
she  answered  yet,  "I  do  not  feel;"  when  told,  "Never 
mind  your  feelings — trust,"  she  shook  hands  with  the 
church  officers,  and  said,  "  I  trust  Jesus  to  save  my  soul," 
and  was  next  day  a  happy  convert.  Mr.  Moody  urged 
him  who  had  come  to  find  Jesus  to  do  the  same,  and  he 
would  be  a  new  man. 

Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey's  farewell  service  at  Bir- 
mingham was  held  on  Friday  evening,  when  the  Bingley 
Hall  was  once  more  crowded  to  its  utmost,  nearly  six- 
teen hundred  converts'  tickets  being  applied  for.  It 
would  be  manifestly  premature  to  assert  that  this  num- 
ber of  people  have  been  converted  during  the  previous 
three  weeks'  services.  As  Mr.  Moody  said  at  the  Con- 
ference in  London,  on  the  same  day,  they  did  not  desire 
to  reckon  up  the  number  of  converts,  because  they  could 
not  judge  of  the  reality  of  the  cases.  At  the  same  time, 
we  think  it  very  probable  that  many  have  been  brought 
savingly  to  believe  in  Christ  who  did  not  apply  for  con- 
verts' tickets.  In  any  case,  the  progress  of  the  move- 
ment in  Birmingham  has  been  such  as  greatly  to  encour- 
age and  cheer  our  American  brethren  and  those  who 
helped  them  in  their  labors ;  and  we  respond  to  Mr. 
Moody's  hope  that  it  may  "  continue  for  a  year." 

Mr.  Moody's  address  to  the  converts  was,  as  usual, 
most  fitting.  Pointing  them  to  the  true  and  only  source 
of  abiding  strength,  he  warned  them  of  the  dangers 
ahead;  and  we  hope  his  words  will  dwell  in  their  hearts 

14* 


322  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

for  many  a  year  to  come.  His  parting  sentences  were  the 
expression  of  affectionate  regard,  and  it  was  plain,  from 
the  demeanor  of  the  audience,  that  the  parting  on  their 
side  was  a  most  reluctant  one. 

Mr.  Sankey  sung  the  farewell  hymn  with  great  pathos 
and  feeling;  and  on  leaving  the  hall  both  he  and  Mr. 
Moody  were  besieged  with  friends  anxious  to  receive  a 
parting  shake  of  the  hand.  They  proceeded  to  Liver- 
pool on  Saturday. 

Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  have  finished  their  term 
here,  and  retire  for  a  week  to  rest,  before  they  enter  on 
their  engagements  in  Liverpool.  The  last  three  days 
have  certainly  been  the  most  impressive  we  have  had. 
Evidently  the  Lord  has  been  on  the  scene.  If  we  don't 
take  that  view  of  the  unparalleled  movement  in  the  his- 
tory of  Birmingham,  we  are  even  at  a  greater  loss  to  ac- 
count for  it  than  the  world  itself.  That  there  will  be 
much  that  will  pass  away  with  the  men  as  they  go  will 
prove  nothing  against  those  who  stand,  and  will  be  noth- 
ing worse  than  what  happened  in  our  Saviour's  time, 
when  "  many  went  back,  and  walked  no  more  with  him." 

But,  separating  the  chaff  from  the  wheat,  we  have 
these  four  great  blessings  left: 

1st.  Christians  have  learned  to  love  one  another,  and 
work  together  for  one  common  object — the  salvation  of 
souls. 

2d.  A  great  quickening  of  the  divine  life  in  the  souls 
of  believers.  We  have  learned  to  pray  more,  to  watch 
more  closely,  to  work  more  earnestly  for  God. 

3d.  Many  souls  have  been  converted  of  whom  there 
is  no  doubt.  Their  works  bear  witness  that  they  are 
born  of  God. 


BIMMINGHAM.  323 

4th.  Yast  numbers  have  heard  the  Word,  who,  al- 
though they  have  not  yet  found  the  Lord,  may  be  led  to 
think,  to  believe,  to  praise  God  for  his  salvation. 

May  our  hearts  be  tuned  to  sing  the  praise  of  our  dear 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  yield  to  him  the  full  tribute  of 
affection  and  service ! 

The  evening  meeting  was  even  more  numerously  at- 
tended than  any  previous  one.  The  time  for  commen- 
cing the  meeting  was  half-past  seven;  but  before  seven 
the  vast  hall  was  crowded  in  every  part,  and  the  doors 
were  with  some  difficulty  closed,  some  thousands  being 
shut  out.  By  about  a  quarter-past  seven  the  whole  of 
the  approaches  to  Bingley  Hall  were  blocked  up  with 
an  immense  crowd. 

Mr.  Moody  lectured  on  "Heaven,"  saying,  in  conclu- 
sion, that  he  trusted  many  hundreds  would  that  night 
have  their  names  recorded  in  heaven.  He  called  upon 
Mr.  Sankey,  who  sung  the  very  appropriate  hymn,  "  Come, 
home,  come  home!" 

Mr.  Moody  said  there  was  such  a  crowd  outside  he 
didn't  well  know  how  those  present  would  manage  to 
leave  the  hall.  He  requested  those  who  wished  for  spe- 
cial prayer  to  be  made  for  them  to  stand  up.  Several 
complied,  but  it  was  impossible  to  form  any  estimate  as 
to  the  number,  so  many  standing  simply  because  they 
had  not  been  enabled  to  obtain  seats.  Mr.  E.  W.  Dale 
and  Mr.  Moody  engaged  in  prayer  for  the  converts  and 
inquirers,  and  Mr.  Moody  then  invited  the  latter  to  go 
with  him  to  St.  Mark's  Church.  On  the  previous  even- 
ing, he  said,  an  hour  was  lost  in  clearing  the  galleries, 
and  he  hoped  all  those  who  were  at  all  anxious  about 
their  souls  would  follow  him  directly  to  St.  Mark's.    Sev- 


324  THE  WORK  OF  QOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

eral  hundreds  took  advantage  of  the  invitation  as  soon  as 
they  were  able  to  penetrate  the  crowds  that  besieged  the 
doors,  and  a  very  large  meeting  of  inquirers  was  held 
there. 

On  Friday,  the  29th,  the  labors  of  the  evangelists  were 
brought  to  a  close  here.  At  the  forenoon  meeting  Mr. 
Moody  delivered  his  Bible  lecture  on  "  The  Holy  Ghost ;" 
at  the  afternoon  meeting  he  gave  another  of  his  Bible 
lectures,  viz.,  that  on  "  The  Blood."  In  the  evening, 
Mr.  Moody  chose  as  his  parting  subject,  "  The  Deluge," 
inviting  all  present  to  come  into  the  Ark  of  Refuge — 
Jesus  Christ. 


LIVERPOOL.  325 


IV. 

LIVERPOOL. 
"Them  that  honor  me,  I  will  honor." — 1  Sam.  ii.,  30. 

Coming  to  Liverpool,  Mr.  Moody  brings  with  him  the 
same  modes  of  action  that  he  has  used  in  the  past.  Em- 
ploying what  are  termed  new  measures,  he  does  not  adopt 
a  measure  because  it  is  new,  but  because  it  is  effective. 
His  supreme  and  ruling  aim  is,  to  save  souls ;  and  he 
takes  the  road  that  is  the  shortest  to  this  object.  We  re- 
gard him  as  a  reformer  in  measures,  as  Martin  Luther 
was  a  reformer  in  doctrines.  Luther  taught  the  Church 
the  Bible  truth,  "the  just  shall  live  by  faith."  Moody 
teaches  how  the  just  shall  work  by  faith,  and  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

His  mission  is  to  break  up  formalism,  and  show  the 
necessity  and  power  of  spirituality.  The  tendency  of  hu- 
man nature  the  world  over  is  to  drop  down  into  forms, 
and  allow  the  spiritual  flame  to  burn  very  low.  As  Mr. 
Moody  has  expressed  it,  Christians  get  into  ruts.  He 
abominates  ruts.  In  Christian  nations  that  are  full  of 
strong  defenders  of  the  faith,  there  have  come  over  many 
of  the  churches  a  stiffness  and  dullness  in  prayer-meet- 
ings and  other  services  that  it  was  necessary  to  break  up. 
The  reformers  needed  themselves  to  be  reformed.  A 
person  giving  an  account  of  one  of  Mr.  Moody's  first 
meetings  in  Scotland  remarked  that  he  was  glad  to  see 
at  the  meeting  that   "formality  got  its  neck  broken." 


326  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

Many  good  people  unconsciously  slide  into  formalism. 
Some  dignitaries  of  the  Church  in  England  cautioned 
their  people  against  the  measures  of  Mr.  Moody,  which 
was  certainly  quite  a  natural  thing  for  them  to  do.  In 
the  Belfast  Witness,  February  5th,  1875,  we  find  the  fol- 
lowing statement  in  regard  to  the  Bishop  of  Manchester : 

"  The  Bishop  of  Manchester,  preaching  on  Sunday  at 
Bradford,  said  that  though  the  work  done  by  the  Amer- 
ican evangelists  might  leave  an  abiding  impression,  the 
tendency  of  excitement  and  impulse  was  to  pass  away 
rapidly.  Stimulating  agencies  in  religion  he  always  dis- 
trusted, for  there  was  a  danger  of  people  acquiring  a 
craving  for  such  food,  to  the  neglect  of  the  wholesome 
diet  of  prayer,  communion,  and  earnest  Bible  study." 

If  the  good  bishop  thinks  that  Moody  and  Sankey's 
modes  of  serving  the  Lord  will  lead  the  people  "  to  the 
neglect  of  the  wholesome  diet  of  prayer,  communion,  and 
earnest  Bible  study,"  we  would  respectfully  ask  if  he  is 
thinking  with  his  eyes  and  ears  open  ?  Pray  what  are 
these  evangelists  doing,  but  giving  to  the  people  this 
"  wholesome  diet?"  They  may  give  it  in  larger  quanti- 
ties than  some  others.  They  may  induce  thousands  and 
tens  of  thousands  to  pray  and  "study  the  Bible,"  which 
has  been  emphatically  their  peculiar  work,  while  church 
dignitaries  may  dispense  this  diet  to  a  few ;  but  can  we 
think  that  the  Master  of  the  feast  is  offended  at  this? 
"We  are  quite  sure  that  the  bishop  himself  would  not  deny 
the  bread  of  life  to  perishing  souls,  though  the  hands  that 
gave  it  had  not  received  ecclesiastical  consecration. 

Some  have  objected  to  Mr.  Moody  because  he  has  not 
been  ordained  to  the  ministry  by  an  ecclesiastical  body. 
But  if  he  has  not  passed  through  the  form  of  "  the  laying 


LIVERPOOL.  327 

on  of  hands,"  there  is  abundant  evidence  that  God  has  laid 
his  hand  upon  him,  and  commissioned  him  for  his  work. 

It  is  a  fact  worthy  of  notice  that  when  God  has  a  spe- 
cial work  to  accomplish,  he  raises  up  his  instruments  out- 
side of  established  orders.  Many  of  the  ancient  proph- 
ets were  not  called  from  the  ranks  of  the  priesthood, 
but  from  the  humble  walks  of  life.  God  appointed  the 
priests  and  Levites  to  minister  and  serve  in  the  taber- 
nacle and  in  the  temple ;  and  this  ministry  with  the 
Jews  was  a  divine  institution.  God  ordained  sacrifices 
and  the  offering  of  incense,  etc ;  but  if  the  regular  min- 
istry grew  cold  or  unfaithful,  he  could  raise  up,  outside 
of  them,  a  prophet  to  say  to  them,  "  Bring  no  more  vain 
oblations;  incense  is  an  abomination  unto  me;  the  new 
moons  and  sabbaths ;  the  calling  of  assemblies,  I  can  not 
away  with;  it  is  iniquity,  even  the  solemn  meeting" 
(Isaiah  i.,  13).  We  may  imagine  the  consternation  of  the 
regular  priests  hearing  such  bold  and  fiery  words;  yet 
they  have  the  indorsement  of  "Thus  saith  the  Lord." 
Now,  Brother  Moody  is  mildness  itself  compared  with 
these  old  prophets.  So  far  as  we  have  heard  or  read,  he 
does  not  denounce  the  Church  of  England,  nor  the  Ro- 
man Catholic  Church.  He  simply  clears  away  the  obsta- 
cles that  lie  between  him  and  immortal  souls  that  are  in 
danger  of  being  lost.  He  simply  strives  to  induce  Chris- 
tians, to  "  awake  and  put  on  their  strength,"  and,  thus 
equipped,  to  sacrifice  all  lesser  matters  to  the  one  object 
of  saving  souls. 

When  Christ  was  upon  the  earth  he  did  not  select  his 
apostles  from  the  priestly  ranks,  but  he  took  fisher- 
men and  others  of  humble  occupations ;  and  the  seal  of 
his    approbation,  that  he    gave  to  them  in  abundantly 


328  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

blessing  their  labors,  has  he  not,  in  wonderfully  large 
measure,  given  to  these  evangelists  ?  We  regard  highly 
an  apostle — which  means,  as  we  know,  "one  sent;"  that 
is,  "  one  sent  "  of  the  Lord — and  we  are  inclined  to  regard 
Mr.  Moody  as  "  one  sent"  of  the  Lord.  Our  readers  may 
be  interested,  as  we  were,  in  the  following  catechising 
that  Mr.  Moody  received,  as  reported  in  the  Belfast 
Witness,  February  12th,  1875 : 

"A  number  of  ministers,  in  addition  to  the  High 
Church  Anglicans,  '  heckled '  Mr.  Moody  somewhat  se- 
verely. One  old  minister,  who  spoke  with  amazing  ve- 
hemence, charged  the  Chicago  evangelist  with  putting 
temperance  in  the  place  of  the  Gospel.  Another  wanted 
Mr.  Moody  to  state  what  his  creed  was.  A  third  de- 
manded to  know  if  he  had  any  personal  interest  in  a 
weekly  periodical  called  the  Christian,  and  if  he  was  re- 
sponsible for  the  reports  of  the  movement  as  printed  in 
that  journal.  An  evangelical  clergyman,  who  wished 
'to  be  faithful  to  his  ordination  vow  and  to  his  Lord,' 
said  he  could  not  venture  to  co-operate  unless  he  first 
knew  what  Mr.  Moody  thought  of  the  ordinances  of  Bap- 
tism and  the  Lord's  Supper.  Many  other  questions  were 
put,  and  sometimes  half  a  dozen  people  were  speaking  at 
once.  The  manner  in  which  Mr.  Moody  comported  him- 
self was  really  admirable.  He  had  a  ready  reply  for  all, 
pointed  in  all  cases,  and  sometimes  richly  humorous.  To 
those  who  wanted  to  know  his  creed,  he  simply  said, 
4  You  will  find  it  all  written  down  in  the  fifty-third  chap- 
ter of  Isaiah,  and  in  much  better  style  than  I  could  give  it.' 
His  replies  were  loudly  cheered,  and  it  was  evident  that 
the  great  bulk  of  the  eighteen  hundred  gentlemen  present 
were  in  warm  sympathy  with  him." 


LIVERPOOL.  329 

While  contemplating  the  wonderful  results  of  the 
labors  of  these  evangelists,  we  are  not  for  a  moment  to 
suppose  that  there  is  any  the  less  need  of  what  is  termed 
"  the  regular  ministry,"  or  that  God  is  not  as  ready  as  he 
ever  was  to  honor  its  work.  He  has  honored  it,  and 
will  in  the  future.  If  the  question  is  one  of  "regular- 
ity," both  classes  are  regular,  for  St.  Paul,  who  is  certain- 
ly good  authority  in  the  Church  of  England  as  well  as 
among  Dissenters,  says  in  his  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians 
(iv.,  11,  12) :  "And  he  gave  some,  apostles;  and  some, 
prophets ;  and  some,  evangelists;  and  some,  pastors  and 
teachers ;  for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints,  for  the  work 
of  the  ministry,  for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ." 
And  when  these  various  divinely  appointed  laborers 
shall  see  eye  to  eye,  and  work  together  with  faithfulness 
and  zeal,  the  time  may  not  be  far  distant  when  we  shall 
"all  come  in  the  unity  of  the  faith  and  of  a  knowledge 
of  the  Son  of  God,  unto  a  perfect  man,  unto  the  measure 
of  the  stature  of  the  fullness  of  Christ." 

It  is  a  cause  of  rejoicing  that  already  so  many  cler- 
gymen of  all  denominations,  including  the  Episcopal 
Church,  are  uniting  with  the  evangelists. 

As  we  remarked,  Mr.  Moody,  in  coming  to  Liverpool, 
adopted  the  same  means  that  he  had  used  in  the  past,  and 
with  the  same  success. 

These  eminent  evangelists  commenced  their  labors  in 
Liverpool  on  Sabbath  morning  under  the  most  encour- 
aging circumstances.  The  services  were  well  attended; 
thousands  were  excluded  from  the  afternoon  and  even- 
ing meetings  from  want  of  accommodation  ;  the  servants 
of  God  who  conducted  them  spoke  and  sung  with  all 
their  acknowledged  vigor  and  spirit;  the  people  listened 


330  THE  WORK  OF  GOB  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

with  intense  earnestness,  and  seemed  thoroughly  to  real- 
ize the  momentous  importance  of  the  great  subject  being 
brought  before  them.  The  meetings  are  being  held  in 
the  Victoria  Hall — the  new  building  specially  construct- 
ed for  the  purpose  being  so  named.  It  is  entirely  of 
wood,  and  will  cost  about  four  thousand  pounds,  a  large 
sum  for  a  building  which  is  only  to  be  used  for  a  month, 
and  taken  down  at  the  end  of  that  time. 

It  affords  accommodation  to  about  eight  thousand 
persons,  exclusive  of  platform  seats.  It  is  lighted  by 
eighty-three  windows,  and  there  are  no  less  than  twen- 
ty doors  for  exit,  all  opening  outward.  There  are  five 
staircases  for  the  gallery.  Very  complete  arrangements 
have  been  made  for  lighting  and  warming.  Interiorly 
the  sides  or  walls  have  been  covered  with  canvas,  and 
papered  with  oak  paper.  Ventilation  is  provided  in  the 
roof  by  two  large  trunks  with  outlets.  In  the  rear  of  the 
large  hall  are  two  "  inquiry  "  and  meeting  rooms,  and 
retiring  rooms  for  ladies  and  gentlemen.  About  thirty 
thousand  cubic  feet  of  timber  have  been  used  in  the  con- 
struction, and  three  thousand  two  hundred  superficial 
feet  of  glass.  The  erection  has  occupied  altogether  thir- 
ty-nine working  days. 

The  first  meeting — for  Christian  workers — was  held  at 
eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and,  though  the  weather 
was  intensely  cold  and  raw,  about  five  or  six  thousand 
were  present.  Viewed  from  the  platform,  the  gathering 
had  a  very  striking  appearance.  The  thousands  of  in- 
telligent faces,  all  expressive  of  deep  interest  in  the  pro- 
ceedings, formed  a  scene  long  to  be  remembered.  Prob- 
ably so  great  and  so  striking  a  gathering  of  a  similar 
character  had  never  before  been  seen  in  Liverpool.     The 


LIVERPOOL.  -        331 

sombre  appearance  of  the  building  itself  was  a  little  re- 
lieved by  the  red  baize  around  the  front  of  the  galleries, 
on  which,  in  large  white  letters,  were  the  texts,  "Believe 
on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;"  "Be  ye  reconciled  to  God  ;" 
and  "Ye  must  be  born  again."  At  the  platform  end  of 
the  building  were  exhibited  in  still  larger  letters  the 
words,  "God  is  Love."  A  large  number  of  ministers 
and  laymen  occupied  seats  on  the  platform,  where  also 
were  stationed  the  choir  of  young  ladies  and  gentlemen 
who  had  been  specially  trained  to  sing  at  the  service. 

Precisely  at  eight  o'clock  the  choir,  which  seemed  to 
be  excellently  trained,  the  voices  being  bright  and  well 
balanced,  and  skillfully  led,  commenced  the  hymn  "  Jesus 
loves  even  me."  The  tune  was  a  joyous  one,  and  the 
audience  immediately  joined  in  the  singing  with  much 
fervor.  Throughout,  the  singing  of  the  vast  concourse 
of  people  was  most  remarkable,  and  formed  a  striking- 
feature  in  the  service.  The  majority  of  the  audience 
were  evidently  skilled  in  psalmody.  They  sung  with 
rare  precision  and  feeling;  one  could  distinguish  an  oc- 
casional artistic  touch,  which  showed  the  trained  musi- 
cian, by  the  skillful  introduction  of  alto  and  treble  voices 
at  the  right  time ;  and  altogether  the  effect  of  the  thou- 
sands of  voices  uplifted  in  praise — singing  in  charming 
unison  the  beautiful,  heart-stirring  melodies — was  grand 
in  the  extreme,  and  one  that  will  not  soon  be  forgotten 
by  those  who  had  the  privilege  of  listening  to  it. 

On  Monday,  the  first  of  a  series  of  midday  prayer- 
meetings  was  held,  at  which  about  three  thousand  peo- 
ple were  present.  Hymns  were  sung  while  the  vast  au- 
dience was  assembling,  until  noon,  when  Messrs.  Moody 
and  Sankey  arrived,  and  the  service  was  opened  with 


332  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

praise.  Reading  the  requests  and  prayer  followed  by  Mr. 
Drysdale.  Mr.  Moody  then  preached  from  the  fifth  chap- 
ter of  Luke,  after  which  another  hymn  was"  sung,  prayer 
offered,  and  the  meeting  thrown  open  for  any  who  de- 
sired to  speak,  and  a  good  many  responded  to  the  invi- 
tation. 

The  evening  meeting  was  held  at  half-past  seven,  and 
was  attended  by  an  immense  gathering. 

LIVERPOOL   AROUSED. 

Sunday,  the  14th,  was  by  far  the  most  glorious  day 
that  we  have  yet  seen  ;  perhaps  one  of  the  most  success- 
ful days  for  the  Master's  work  that  Liverpool  has  ever 
seen.  There  was  a  very  blessed  influence  in  the  early 
morning  meeting,  which  was  largely  attended.  Many 
felt  that  Mr.  Moody's  word  to  believers  on  that  occasion 
came  with  greater  power  than  in  any  previous  address 
of  his  in  Liverpool.  At  eleven  o'clock  the  hall  was  well 
filled  with  a  motley  congregation,  consisting  of  persons 
who  had  been  admitted  by  a  ticket  on  the  statement  that 
they  were  not  in  the  habit  of  attending  a  place  of  wor- 
ship. The  congregation  was  not,  however,  composed  en- 
tirely, or  even  mainly,  of  the  lowest  grade  of  the  popula- 
tion ;  for  a  large  number  of  persons  who  seemed  to  be- 
long to  the  respectable  mechanic  class  (of  whom  it  must 
be  admitted  a  very  large  number  answer  to  the  descrip- 
tion indicated  by  the  ticket)  were  present.  All  witness- 
es agree  that  there  was  a  most  extraordinary  manifes- 
tation of  spiritual  power  in  this  meeting.  The  number 
of  persons  who  rose  up  at  its  close,  in  response  to  Mr. 
Moody's  invitation,  and  invited  the  prayers  of  the  assem- 
bly on  their  behalf,  was  far  larger  than  on  any  previous 


LIVERPOOL.  333 

occasion.  A  clergyman  informed  me  that  lie  counted 
not  less  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  persons  afterward  in 
the  inquirers'  room,  and  there  were  many  more  in  other 
places. 

In  the  afternoon  the  hall  was  crowded  with  women, 
and  again  a  deep  impression  was  produced.  In  the  even- 
ing it  was  again  crowded,  this  time  with  men,  and  hun- 
dreds went  away  who  could  not  gain  admission.  There 
could  not  have  been  less  than  from  eleven  to  twelve 
thousand  men  packed  into  the  building.  The  results 
of  the  message  may  be  judged  from  the  fact  that  not  less 
than  three  hundred  and  fifty  men  were  counted  in  the 
inquirers'  room.  A  supplementary  meeting  for  men  only 
was  held  in  the  course  of  the  afternoon  in  St.  James's  Hall, 
where  it  was  computed  that  fully  seventeen  hundred 
men  were  present.  Here,  again,  the  power  of  God's 
Spirit  was  very  sensibly  felt  by  all.  The  addresses  were 
delivered  by  the  Kevs.  Thomas  Macpherson  and  W.  Hay 
M'D.  Aitken.  There  was  no  time  for  an  "after  meet- 
ing;" but  it  was  satisfactory  to  find  afterward  that  a 
considerable  number  of  those  who  attended  in  the  after- 
noon were  found  in  the  inquirers'  room  in  the  evening. 
Nobody  could  witness  the  services  that  day  without  feel- 
ing that  Liverpool  was  stirred  to  its  very  centre. 

Steadily  and  mightily  the  interest  increased,  until  the 
third  week,  of  which  we  have  the  following  account,  Feb- 
ruary 2d : 

"  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  have  concluded  another 
week  of  their  evangelistic  labors  with  the  same,  if  not 
more,  blessed  results.  The  tide  of  revival  influence  has 
risen  powerfully  during  the  past  week,  and  in  every  part 
of  this  large  city  its  waves  are  rapidly  flowing.     The  in- 


334  THE  WORE  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIX. 

terest  created  by  these  services  may  be  judged  from  the 
fact  that  the  average  attendance  daily  amounts  to  twenty 
thousand  people,  without  the  various  prayer  and  inquiry 
meetings,  while  thousands  are  daily  unable  to  gain  ad- 
mission. A  deep,  anxious  feeling  is  evident  among  the 
masses  of  the  population,  thousands  of  whom  date  their 
conversion  from  the  recent  meetings.  In  surrounding 
country  districts,  where  the  news  of  the  great  religious 
movement  has  spread,  the  people  have  been  aroused,  and 
in  many  places  an  awakening  has  broken  out.  A  great 
improvement  has  taken  place  in  the  attendance  at  near- 
ly all  the  places  of  worship,  and  this  is  one  of  the  many 
direct  results  that  have  followed  Messrs.  Moody  and  San- 
key's  visit.  Mr.  Sankey's  singing  has  been  made  the 
blessed  instrument  in  arousing  many  to  think  of  their 
spiritual  condition,  and  cry  out,  like  the  Philippian  jail- 
er, '  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?'  Conviction  of  sin 
by  this  means  alone  has  entered  many  a  sin-sick  soul, 
and  pointed  it  to  the  Great  Physician. 

"  Owing  to  the  severe  exertions  of  both  these  evangel- 
ists during  the  week,  they  took  a  day's  rest  on  Saturday, 
and  did  not  take  part  in  any  of  the  three  meetings  held 
on  that  day,  all  of  which  were  remarkably  well  attended, 
especially  the  three  o'clock  service,  which  was  chiefly  for 
Sabbath-school  children.  The  Christian  workers'  meet- 
ing on  Sunday  morning  was  crowded,  at  which  Mr. 
Moody  gave  a  practical  and  impressive  address  on  the 
subject  '  To  every  Man  his  Work.'  About  seven  thou- 
sand attended  the  eleven  o'clock  meeting,  when  Mr. 
Moody  spoke  from  the  text,  '  He  was  wounded  for  our 
transgressions,'  vividly  describing  the  trial,  condemna- 
tion, and  crucifixion  of  our  Lord.     At  the  close  of  the 


LIVERPOOL.  335 

address  Mr.  Moody  called  on  all  woo  wished  to  become 
Christians  to  stand  up,  and  a  large  number  rose,  includ- 
ing two  old  gypsy  women,  who  were  prayed  for.  At  the 
three  o'clock  meeting  for  women  a  sermon  on  '  What 
Christ  is  to  us,'  was  preached  by  Mr.  Moody,  which  text 
he  forcibly  applied  to  his  hearers,  making  a  special  ap- 
peal to  mothers.  At  the  men's  meeting  at  seven  o'clock 
upward  of  eight  thousand  were  present.  Mr.  Moody 
presided,  and  gave  an  earnest  and  effective  address.  Mr. 
Sankey  was  present  at  all  these  services,  and  sung  sev- 
eral solos. 

"The  noonday  prayer-meeting  on  Monday  was  attend- 
ed by  an  unusually  large  number  of  people,  many  of 
whom  had  come  from  Wales.  The  Eev.  T.  Macpher- 
son  read  the  requests  for  prayer,  and  prayer  wras  offered 
in  behalf  of  the  evangelistic  work  in  London  and  else- 
where by  the  Eev.  G.  Kobinson,  of  St.  Augustine's.  Mr. 
Moody  then  spoke  from  the  twelfth  chapter  of  Isaiah,  and 
in  the  course  of  his  address  asked :  Was  the  work  which 
was  now  going  on  in  Liverpool  the  work  of  God  or  of 
man?  Was  it  the  work  of  God  or  of  Satan?  It  must 
be  one  or  the  other.  It  must  be  either  God's  work  or 
the  devil's  work ;  and  if  it  was  Satan's  work,  then  it 
followed  that  every  Christian  man  that  was  standing 
out  was  right  in  standing  out  to  work  against  it ;  but 
if  -it  was  the  work  of  God,  he  (Mr.  Moody)  contended 
that  every  Christian  man  should  come  into  the  work. 
After  speaking  of  the  successful  results  of  the  revival 
meetings  which  were  held  in  New  York,  and  how  the 
movement  spread  throughout  America,  Mr.  Moody  ex- 
pressed his  firm  belief  that  what  was  now  going  on  from 
day  to  day  was  the  doing  of  God,  and  not  of  man  ;  he  be- 


336  THE   WOKE  OF  GOD  IN  GEE  AT  BRITAIN. 

]ieved  that  we  were  living  in  days  that  our  forefathers 
looked  for  and  prayed  for,  and  wished  to  see.  He  be- 
lieved there  were  thousands  of  persons  in  Liverpool  now 
convinced  of  sin,  and  anxious  about  their  souls'  welfare. 
He  believed  the  world  was  much  more  roused  than  the 
Church  ;  would  to  God  that  the  Church  might  be  roused ! 
Mr.  Moody  then  announced  that  the  meeting  would  be 
thrown  open  in  order  that  they  might  receive  reports  of 
the  Lord's  work,  and  he  was  glad  to  see  so  many  min- 
isters and  people  from  Wales.  Let  them  hope  they 
would  go  back  with  their  hearts  on  fire,  and  let  good 
tidings  go  throughout  Wales  of  the  great  and  mighty 
work." 

More  than  six  thousand  persons  attended  the  noon 
prayer-meeting  on  Tuesday.  After  the  opening  services 
of  praise  and  prayer,  the  requests  were  read,  which  were 
several  hundred  in  number.  The  Rev.  G.  Robinson  fol- 
lowed with  an  interesting  report  of  the  progress  and  suc- 
cess of  the  Lord's  work  in  his  own  church  (St.  Augus- 
tine's). A  gentleman  from  Dublin,  in  giving  him  an  ac- 
count of  the  revival  there,  mentioned  the  case  of  a  Ro- 
man Catholic  lady  who,  while  reading  one  of  the  Moody 
and  Sankey  hymns  in  a  railway  carriage,  was  startled 
by  some  one  speaking  to  her,  she  having  thought  she 
was  alone.  The  person  said  to  her,  "I  see  what  you  are 
about."  She  looked  up,  and  was  startled  to  find  it  was4 
her  father-confessor,  a  Roman  Catholic  priest,  and  he  said 
to  her,  "Don't  be  startled;  I  have  been  myself  to  those 
meetings  in  Dublin,  and  I  have  reason  to  be  thankful 
and  bless  God  for  them."  Taking  the  book  out  of  her 
hand,  he  opened  it  at  the  hymn,  "Jesus  the  Water  of  Life 
has  given,"  and  said  it  was  when  that  hymn  was  sung  in 


LIVERPOOL.  337 

the  Exhibition  Building,  Dublin,  that  God  took  away  the 
burden  of  his  sins;  and  he  said,  "Now  I  am  going  over 
to  England  to  hear  the  services  of  those  two  good  men 
in  Manchester,  and  I  shall  never  return  again  as  a  Rom- 
ish  priest  to  Ireland:  God  has  burst  the  bond."  The 
afternoon  service  was  chiefly  occupied  with  reports  from 
different  parts  of  Scotland  and  Ireland,  giving  most  en- 
couraging details  of  the  spiritual  work. 

The  arousing  of  old  slow-paced  Christians  is  somewhat 
astounding.  The  number  of  Roman  Catholics  astonishes 
all  the  workers.  The  Belfast  Witness  stated,  from  its 
Dublin  correspondent,  that  two  thousand  Roman  Catho- 
lics are  reckoned  as  present  in  the  large  meetings,  say 
one-fourth  of  the  whole  attendance  ;  and  at  the  beginning 
of  the  meetings  Mr.  Moody  said  that  there  were  more 
Roman  Catholics  in  the  inquiry-room  than  of  any  other 
denomination. 

A  young  servant  in  one  of  the  inquiry-meetings  in 
Dublin  was  heard  to  say,  "  I  was  a  Roman  Catholic,  but 
I  find  that  I  need  not  go  to  the  priest  now  to  confess  .... 
just  tell  me  what  the  Bible  says  about  it."  One  or  two 
passages  were  found :  1  John  i.,  9,  and  "  There  is  one 
Mediator,"  etc.;  "Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
thou  shalt  be  saved" — saved  "from  your  sins."  "Are 
you  sure,"  was  the  reply,  "that  this  is  sufficient  for  me — 
that  if  I  believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  have  sal- 
vation ?"  The  verse  was  found,  and  she  read  it  aloud. 
"  Oh !  I  do,  I  do,  I  do  with  all  my  heart,  and  I  don't 
want  any  thing  else  now.  Tell  me,  did  you  say  I  should 
find  in  the  Bible  every  thing  I  want?  Oh,  how  nice! 
that's  good !  I  have  never  read  a  word  of  it;  but  I  will 
have  one  now,  and  I'll  never  want  to  go  to  chapel  again, 

15 


338  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

nor  go  to  confession.  I'll  find  all  I  want  here!"  pressing 
the  Bible  in  her  hand. 

The  Birmingham  correspondent  of  the  Times  of  Bless- 
ing, March  4th,  1875,  says  :  "  Sunday  next  will  close  the 
visit  of  our  beloved  and  honored  friends  to  this  great 
town.  God  grant  that  this  last  week  may  surpass  the 
previous  three  in  blessing!  Liverpool  has  been  expect- 
ing great  things,  and  the  Lord  has  in  mercy  heard  the 
cry  of  his  children.  Truly  he  hath  spoken  good  con- 
cerning Liverpool.  The  tide  of  blessing  has  been  stead- 
ily rising.  What  the  prophet  saw  only  in  vision,  we 
have  seen  in  fact.  The  waters  of  grace,  which  at  first 
reached  only  to  the  ankles,  and  then  to  the  knees,  have 
now  risen  over  the  loins,  and  they  are  a  river  to  swim  in. 
Thousands  feel,  as  they  have  never  felt  before,  that  Liv- 
erpool, with  the  district  around  it,  is  in  the  mighty  and 
loving  hand  of  God.  The  special  meetings  in  Victoria 
Hall  have  taken  an  intense  hold  on  the  town.  The  great 
building  is  much  too  small  for  the  work.  Messrs.  Moody 
and  San  key  hold  eighteen  meetings  in  it  weekly,  and  day 
by  day  the  hall  is  packed  to  overflowing.  Mr.  Moody 
gave  his  lecture  on  Daniel,  at  eight  o'clock  last  Sunday 
morning,  to  an  audience  of  not  less  than  ten  thousand; 
and  those  who  could  not  find  room  in  the  hall  were  ad- 
dressed in  the  Circus  adjoining  by  Captain  Dutton,  of  the 
'Allan  Line.'  Many  thousands  had  to  travel  long  dis- 
tances in  the  bitter  weather  to  reach  the  hall  in  time  for 
the  meeting.  No  movement  like  it  has  ever  been  seen 
in  this  part  of  England. 

"  The  finger  of  God  is  seen  in  all  departments  of  the 
work.  The  erection  of  Victoria  Hall  for  the  meetings 
made  the  expenses  of  the  visit  to  Liverpool  unusually 


LIVERPOOL.  339 

heavy.  We  bad  no  building  large  enough  in  this  town 
to  accommodate  the  audiences  we  expected,  and  so  ne- 
cessity was  laid  upon  us  to  provide  a  temporary  building. 
No  direct  solicitation  for  subscriptions  Las  been  made. 
It  was  decided  to  leave  this  and  all  other  matters  con- 
nected with  the  movement  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  and 
he  has  made  the  darkness  light  before  us.  Many  friends, 
who  would  not  in  ordinary  circumstances  have  been  ex- 
pected to  give,  have  sent  in  considerable  sums  toward  the 
expenses.  Nearly  four  thousand  pounds  have  been  al- 
ready received,  and  God  will  provide  the  rest.  Then, 
again,  the  apathy  of  many  in  the  meetings  has  been  turn- 
ed into  the  deepest  interest.  Opposition  to  the  move- 
ment is  diminishing.  In  fact,  it  may  be  said  there  is 
now  no  intelligent  opposition,  and  any  ignorant  opposi- 
tion that  exists  is  fast  melting  away.  When  the  critics 
'come  and  see  '  the  work  of  the  Lord,  they  very  soon  as- 
sume a  respectful  attitude.  Testimony  to  the  blessed  re- 
sults, of  the  meetings  is  most  abundant.  Every  day  large 
numbers  of  sincere  inquirers  testify,  by  their  eager  de- 
sire to  know  the  way  of  God  more  fully  by  private  con- 
versation in  the  '  inquiry-room,'  that  the  truth  has  taken 
a  living  hold  upon  them ;  and  the  Spirit  of  God  is  with- 
out doubt  carrying  on  his  work  of  grace  in  the  hearts 
of  many  who,  on  this  subject,  speak  with  no  one  but  him- 
self. The  universal  testimony,  not  only  of  the  majority 
of  the  clergymen  of  Liverpool,  but  of  ministers  from  all 
parts  of  Wales  and  the  North  of  England,  who  have 
come  to  the  meetings,  is  that  their  own  souls  have  been 
strengthened,  and  that  they  feel  God  is  preparing  them 
for  times  of  refreshing  and  revival  in  their  several  spheres 
of  labor,  such  as  they  have  not  seen  before.     There  are 


310  THE  WORK  OF  OOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

few  Sunday -schools  here  where  the  teachers  are  not 
teaching  with  new  fervor  and  power.  Some  are  filled 
with  amazement  at  what  the  Lord  is  doing  in  their  class- 
es. Take  one  instance  of  twenty  lads,  mostly  employed 
in  an  iron-work  at  Birkenhead,  where  youth,  as  in  other 
workshops,  too  often  and  too  readily  learn  the  blas- 
phemous language  and  viJe  ways  of  the  workmen. 
Their  Sunday-school  teacher  is  praising  God  to-day  for 
the  change  wrought  upon  his  class  within  the  past  weeks. 
Instead  of  foul  talk,  they  are  now  heard  singing  Mr. 
Sankey's  Gospel  hymns ;  and  by  their  conduct  to  their 
parents  and  teacher,  and  both  in  their  work  and  out  of 
it,  they  are  showing  that  they  have  been  with  Jesus. 

"Take  another  case  of  a  similar  sort.  At  a  ship-build- 
ing yard  not  far  from  Birkenhead,  the  young  lads,  since 
these  special  meetings  commenced  in  Victoria  Hall,  have 
met  for  prayer  and  the  reading  of  the  Scriptures  in  the 
smithy  during  the  dinner-hour,  until  the  men  began  to 
drop  in,  and  the  number  so  increased  that,  last  Sunday 
week,  they  applied  for  accommodation  for  this  dinner- 
hour  prayer -meeting  in  a  neighboring  mission -house, 
and  at  the  gathering  last  Friday  sixty-four  were  present, 
and  the  presence  of  God  was  felt  to  be  with  them.  No 
one  but  God  knows  where  the  movement  in  Yictoria 
Hall  will  end.  No  eye  but  his  can  trace  the  subtle  and 
heavenly  influence  that  passes  from  heart  to  heart,  and 
from  one  district  to  another.  The  fallow  ground  in  Liv- 
erpool has  been  broken  up  as  it  had  never  been  before; 
and  the  conviction  in  many  minds  is  firmly  established 
that  a  time  of  grace  has  begun  here  that  will  go  on  ex- 
tending and  deepening  until  Christ  comes  again.  The 
remark  which  dropped  from  the  lips  of  one  of  our  lead- 


LIVERPOOL.  34:1 

ing  laymen  at  the  close  of  the  meeting  for  Christian 
workers  last  Sunday  week  accurately  describes  the  uni- 
versal feeling  of  all  Christian  hearts  :  '  We  can  never  be 
as  we  have  been.'  The  voice  of  the  Lord  has  been  heard 
in  our  very  midst,  and  the  Church  dare  not  and  can  not 
disregard  it.  Let  Christ's  people  throughout  the  coun- 
try go  on  praying  for  Liverpool." 

The  meetings  on  Sunday  last  were  overwhelming. 
Four  times  Victoria  Hall  was  crowded  to  its  utmost  ca- 
pacity, while  Newsome's  Circus  and  St.  James's  Hall 
were  twice  filled.  There  must  have  been  not  less  than 
forty-five  thousand  persons  present  at  the  various  meet- 
ings. 

Such  was  Liverpool  the  last  of  February,  1875 ; 
while  in  June,  1873,  not  one  soul  responded  to  the  call 
of  the  evangelists  to  come  to  Jesus.  Now  the  mighty 
tides  from  many  cities  unite  in  one  vast  stream  that 
flows  on  to  the  great  metropolis,  there,  like  the  Nile,  to 
overflow  its  banks  and  fertilize  wide  regions,  from  which 
plentiful  harvests  will  be  reaped. 


34:2  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 


V. 

LONDON. 

"Thy  word  is  a  lamp  unto  my  feet,  and  a  light  unto  my  path." — Psa. 
exix  ,  105. 

"I  can  do  all  things  through  Christ  which  strengtheneth  me." — Phil. 
i\\,  13. 

We  can  scarcely  imagine  a  more  remarkable  and  im- 
pressive scene  than  the  approach  of  the  evangelists  to 
the  city  of  London.  In  the  long  train  of  cars  from  Liv- 
erpool are  men  and  women  from  every  class  in  society, 
moving  toward  the  great  metropolis,  with  various  objects 
before  them.  Some  come  to  take  part  in  political  affairs, 
and  consider  questions  regarded  as  of  great  importance 
to  the  public  welfare ;  others  are  absorbed  by  their 
schemes  for  wealth  ;  votaries  of  fashion  are  hastening  to 
join  the  circles  of  gayety.  The  different  vocations  of 
the  middling  classes  are  represented;  and  each  one  is 
the  centre  of  his  own  world,  larger  or  smaller. 

On  a  seat  sit  two  men  having  nothing  to  distinguish 
them  from  the  ordinary  passengers.  Less  than  two  years 
ago  they  entered  the  city  of  York,  unacquainted  with  a 
single  inhabitant.  They  held  a  religious  meeting  at 
which  four  persons  were  present.  How  they  obtained 
even  this  number,  we  are  not  informed.  What  passage 
of  Scripture  was  read  we  do  not  know.  Being  humble 
men,  they  may  have  selected  a  portion  of  the  first  chap- 
ter of  Paul's  First  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians:  "For  ye 
see  your  calling,  brethren,  how  that  not  many  wise  men 


LONDON.  343 

after  the  flesh,  not  many  mighty,  not  many  noble,  are 
called :  but  God  hath  chosen  the  foolish  things  of  the 
world  to  confound  the  wise;  and  God  hath  chosen  the 
weak  things  of  the  world  to  confound  the  things  which 
are  mighty." 

These  brethren,  bringing  with  them  their  families,  had 
come  very  far  to  hold  this  little  meeting.  They  can  un- 
derstand a  portion  of  the  passage  read,  that  God  had 
"chosen  the  weak  things  of  the  world;1'  but  how  are 
they  to  confound  the  things  that  are  mighty?  is  the  ques- 
tion. Will  any  help  come  to  them  from  the  vast  and 
splendid  Cathedral,  under  whose  shadow,  perhaps,  they 
walk  homeward  ? 

They  kneel  in  secret  prayer;  they  pray  in  faith. 
Months  roll  on,  and  now  they  approach  London.  They 
are  known  to  tens  of  thousands  of  the  inhabitants.  Fif- 
teen hundred  ministers,  of  all  denominations,  have  held 
a  meeting  to  make  preparations  for  their  arrival.  The 
city  of  four  millions  of  people*  is  laid  out  into  districts 

*  It  is  impossible  to  estimate  the  amount  of  good  that  would  be  accom- 
plished by  a  powerful  revival  of  religion  in  such  a  city  as  London.  The 
relations  of  the  great  metropolis  to  the  world  were,  some  years  ago,  pre- 
sented in  a  lecture  by  Rev.  William  Arthur,  from  which  we  give  the  fol- 
lowing passages : 

"  Our  queen  rules  over  more  Roman  Catholics  than  the  Pope,  over  more 
Mohnmmedans  than  the  Sublime  Porte,  and  over  more  Pagans  than  there 
are  in  the  whole  Continent  of  Africa.  If  we  ask,  '  What  is  the  religion  of 
the  British  Empire?' judging  by  numbers,  the  unhesitating  reply  must  be, 
'Paganism.'  There  are  in  it  more  Pagans  than  Mohammedans,  and 
there  are  more  Mohammedans  than  Christians  of  both  names.  The  nu- 
merical order  of  the  four  great  religious  distinctions  prevailing  in  the  em- 
pire is_:  first,  Paganism  ;  secondly,  Mohammedanism  ;  thirdly,  Protestant- 
ism ;  fourthly,  Romanism. 

"It  is  impossible  to  revolve  these  facts  without  receiving  a  deep  impres- 


344     THE   WORK  OF  GOD   ZV  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

for  general  visitation.  The  largest  public  halls  are  en- 
gaged, including  Exeter  Hall,  the  Queen's  Opera  House, 
and  Agricultural  Hall,  which  holds  twenty  thousand 
persons.  Other  halls  are  being  erected,  and  fifty  thou- 
sand dollars  have  been  already  subscribed  to  meet  the 
expenses. 

sion  that  the  moral  state  of  England  is  of  immeasurable  importance  to  the 
whole  human  race.  God  has  placed  her  in  a  position  to  advance  or  re- 
tard the  highest  interest  of  our  species,  such  as  nation  never  occupied  be- 
fore; such  as  involves  a  high  and  inappreciable  trust The  morality 

of  Holland  affects  Holland;  the  morality  of  Belgium  affects  Belgium;  the 
morality  of  France  may  affect  Europe ;  but  the  morality  of  England  af- 
fects the  world. 

"Now,  if  such  be  the  importance  that  the  nation  should  fear  God,  you 
see  the  bearing  of  this  on  the  metropolis.  London  is  to  the  world  as  the 
tongue  of  England,  the  great  expositor  of  its  thoughts  and  principles. 
From  London  the  world  is  constantly  receiving  illustrations  of  what  we 
are.  Ships  are  departing  every  day  with  cargoes  indescribably  various ; 
but  they  all  bear  one  commodity  in  common,  they  all  convey  to  other 
lands  a  consignment  of  British  morality.  "Whether  their  wares  are  re- 
ceived or  returned,  this  commodity  always  gains  an  introduction,  and  is 
poured  into  the  families  of  those  countries  by  conversation,  by  dealings, 
by  recreation,  and  diversified  intercourse.  It  depends  entirely  on  the 
state  of  our  home  population  whether  these  injections  of  our  morality  shall 
be  so  many  phials  of  miasma  to  infect  and  accurse,  or  so  much  of  the  breath 
of  Heaven's  grace  to  give  health  and  blessing.  Every  seaman  and  every 
settler  who  leaves  our  ports  carries  with  him,  and  holds  up  to  the  eye  of 
foreign  people,  a  pattern  English  heart.  It  is  unutterably  important  that 
London  should  be  holy." 

The  kingdom  of  Satan  in  this  city  is  indeed  mighty,  as  appears  from 
the  following  statistics :  London  has  one  hundred  and  seventeen  thousand 
habitual  criminals  on  her  police  register;  thirty  thousand  drunkards  an- 
nually brought  before  her  magistrates;  one  million  and  more  habitual 
neglecters  of  public  worship  ;  sixty  miles  of  open  shops  every  Lord's  day ; 
seventy-three  miles  of  drinking-houses,  if  placed  side  by  side  in  a  row; 
has  need  of  nine  hundred  new  chapels  and  churches,  and  two  hundred 
additional  city  missionaries. 


LONDON.  345 


PREPARATORY  WORK. 


The  London  correspondent  of  the  North  British  Daily 
Mail,  one  of  the  leading  commercial  papers  of  Scotland, 
gives  the  following  deeply  interesting  details  of  the 
preparation  made  for  the  mighty  work  in  London : 

"  The  committee  under  whose  auspices  Messrs.  Moody 
and  Sankey  are  about  to  spend  four  months  in  the  work 
of  evangelizing  the  metropolis  are  pressing  forward  their 
preparations  with  praiseworthy  energy.  On  Sunday 
next  they  will  commence  a  series  of  special  introductory 
services  in  the  Agricultural  Hal],  at  Islington,  which 
will  be  held  during  the  week  preceding  the  arrival  of  the 
American- evangelists.  On  Sunday  morning  the  preach- 
er will  be  a  leading  evangelical  clergyman  of  the  Estab- 
lished Church ;  at  night  the  post  will  be  occupied  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Sanday,  of  Vernon  Baptist  Chapel,  one  of  Mr. 
Spurgeon's  old  students.  Among  those  who  will  lead 
on  the  week-nights  are  Dr.  Henry  Allon,  editor  of  the 
British  Quarterly  Review,  Dr.  M'Auslane,  Dr.  Landels,  and 
others.  In  adding  to  these  services  in  the  great  central 
meeting-place,  special  meetings  for  prayer  will  be  held  in 
hundreds  of  churches,  chapels,  and  mission-rooms  all  over 
the  metropolis,  at  which  the  blessing  of  God  will  be  in- 
voked on  the  impending  effort.  But  perhaps  the  most 
remarkable  part  of  the  preparation  is  the  scheme  which 
lias  been  set  on  foot  for  an  immediate  house-to-house 
visitation  of  every  square,  street,  and  lane  of  this  Great 
Babylon  and  its  far  -  reaching  suburbs.  A  special  com- 
mittee has  been  formed,  consisting  of  Major-general  C. 
Scott,  Captain  the  Hon.  R  Moreton,  RN. ;  Colonel  J. 
Field,  Mr.  A.  R  Kinnaird  (son  of  the  lion.  Arthur  Kin- 

15* 


3-16  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

naird,  M.P.),  and  Mr.  Eeginald  Kadcliffe.  It  will  be  no- 
ticed that  of  the  five,  two  are  military  officers,  and  one  a 
naval  captain,  and  they  are  at  this  moment  sitting  in  a 
central  office  which  has  been  placed  at  their  disposal,  in 
a  fashionable  West-end  thoroughfare  (Great  Marlborough 
Street),  poring  over  maps  of  London  and  the  suburbs. 
But  the  campaign  which  they  are  arranging  is  a  benig- 
nant one,  as  it  will  unquestionably  be  the  most  gigantic 
religious  undertaking  of  the  kind  that  has  ever  been  at- 
tempted in  England — perhaps  in  the  world. 

"The  map  of  the  city,  inclusive,  as  I  have  already 
suggested,  of  its  suburbs,  has  been  divided  into  districts, 
and  hundreds  of  Christian  brethren,  regardless  of  denom- 
inational distinctions,  have  been  invited  to  take  each  the 
superintendence  of  one  such  district.  The  visitation  is 
to  be  started  at  once,  so  that  it  may  be  well  advanced 
before  the  arrival  of  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey.  Two 
maps  of  his  district,  and  all  other  materials,  are  furnished 
by  the  committee  to  each  superintendent;  one  map  to  be 
retained  by  himself,  and  the  other  to  be  cut  into  pieces — 
i.  e.,  one  piece  for  each  couple  of  visitors.  The  superin- 
tendent selects  from  his  own  circle  of  acquaintance  such 
voluntary  Christian  helpers,  of  either  sex  and  of  any  de- 
nomination, as  will  be  competent  to  assist  him  in  the 
thorough  visitation  of  his  district;  and  the  visitors  are  to 
work  in  couples,  after  the  apostolic  method. 

"They  will  carry  a  leaflet  by  Mr.  Moody  in  sufficient 
quantities  to  enable  them  to  leave  one  in  the  hands  of 
every  Family  ;  but  the  great  object  of  the  work  is  not  the 
mere  distribution  of  tracts,  but  the  carrying  of  the  Gos- 
pel by  the  living  voice  to  every  home  in  London.  Each 
pair  of  visitors  has  a  book  in  which  they  will  enter  the 


London:  817 

result  of  their  work ;  and  the  books  are  to  be  submitted 
to  the  respective  superintendents  every  Saturday  or  Sun- 
day until  the  work  is  finished,  when  they  will  be  finally 
returned  to  the  superintendents.  If  the  scheme  wrorks 
as  well  as  the  committee  hope,  these  books  will  constitute 
such  a  religious  census  of  the  metropolis  as  was,  perhaps, 
never  accomplished  before  in  any  of  the  great  cities  of 
the  world." 

FIRST   MEETING  IN  LONDON. 

The  opening  meeting  in  London  fulfilled  the  expecta- 
tions of  God's  children,  and  demonstrated  the  presence 
of  the  Most  High. 

The  following  account  is  taken  from  the  London  Chris- 
tian World  of  March  12th  : 

"It  is  that  once,  at  the  Agricultural  Hall,  Mr.  Spur- 
geon  preached  to  twenty- two  thousand  people.  But  for 
the  different  style  of  the  arrangements  in  the  vast  interi- 
or, that  would  probably  have  been  the  number  present  on 
Tuesday  night,  when  the  Chicago  evangelists  entered  on 
their  London  campaign.  As  it  was,  the  audience  could 
not  be  less  than  eighteen  thousand;  in  all  likelihood  it 
reached  twenty  thousand.  The  chairs  number  fourteen 
thousand  according  to  some  authorities,  fifteen  thousand 
say  others ;  and  not  one  of  these,  nor  scarcely  an  inch 
of  standing-ground,  wTas  left  unoccupied,  while  the  doors 
had  to  be  closed  in  the  face  of  many  hundreds  for  whom 
there  was  no  room.  The  anxiety  to  procure  admission 
was  indicated  by  the  fact  that  fully  two  hours  before  the 
time  advertised  for  the  beginning  of  the  service  crowds 
began  to  assemble.  We  were  there  a  few  minutes  after 
six,  and  alreadv  the  building  seemed  to  be  more  than 


348  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

half  full,  while  the  stream  of  people  entering  was  in  full 
flood,  and  required  not  many  minutes  to  crowd  every 
vacant  spot,  excepting  only  the  reserved  seats  near  the 
platform,  for  which  tickets  were  required.  At  half-past 
six  the  singing  of  a  hymn  was  begun  in  a  distant  part  of 
the  hall ;  but  the  Rev.  Thain  Davidson,  from  his  seat  on 
the  platform,  requested  the  stewards  to  repress  volunteer 
attempts  of  this  sort,  and  in  a  moment  his  wish  was  obey- 
ed. The  arrangements  were,  indeed,  admirable.  Ushers, 
each  invested  with  an  official  rod,  were  scattered  all  over 
the  building.  Those  near  me  were  young  merchants 
and  professional  men  ;  and  they  did  their  work  with 
quiet,  effective  energy.  There  seems  to  be  no  screw 
loose  anywhere.  The  silent  seating  of  so  many  thou- 
sands was  a  masterpiece  of  administrative  care  and  skill. 
"  The  appearance  of  the  vast  throng  was,  in  itself,  a 
sight  worth  going  many  miles  to  see.  No  architectural 
features  of  the  building  came  between  the  eye  and  the 
great  sea  of  humanity  that  seemed  to  stretch  as  far  as 
the  vision  could  go.  There  was  abundance  of  light  shed 
from  thousands  of  gas  burners,  beading  the  walls — these 
at  times  running  in  straight  lines,  and  at  regular  inter- 
vals assuming  a  semicircular  form.  A  broad  strip  of 
red  cloth  running  round  beneath  the  lines  and  arches  of 
light  bore  appropriate  passages  in  white  lettering.  The 
first  of  these,  on  the  right  of  the  platform,  was:  'Repent 
ye,  and  believe  the  Gospel;'  the  first  on  the  left:  'The 
gift  of  God  is  eternal  life.'  At  the  centre  of  the  plat- 
form there  is  a  small  dais,  covered  with  red  cloth,  and 
having  a  slight  rail  round  it,  and  a  little  book-board  at 
one  corner.  This  is  for  the  president  of  the  meetings. 
On  his  right  are  the  seats  for  the  choir,  and  Mr.  San- 


LONDON.  g49 

key's  American  organ.  The  seats  on  the  left  are  for  the 
committee  and  others  taking  part  in  the  service.  On 
and  around  the  platform  were  hundreds  of  leading  men 
of  all  the  evangelical  communions,  ministers  and  laymen  ; 
and  it  struck  me  that  the  Congregational  and  Presbyte- 
rian churches  were  represented  in  special  strength,  es- 
pecially the  former  body.  The  Earl  of  Cavan  and  Lord 
Radstock  occupied  seats  on  the  platform. 

"At  seven  o'clock,  Rev.  Thain  Davidson  gave  out  the 
hymn  'I  hear  thy  welcome  Voice,'  and  the  volume  of 
sound  which  rose  from  the  audience  indicated  that  it  was 
a  familiar  strain  to  the  most  of  the  people  present. 
Then,  after  a  brief  interval,  the  hymn  'Tell  me  the  old, 
old  Story  of  Jesus  and  his  Love,'  was  finely  sung  by  the 
choir,  which  was  composed  of  two  hundred  voices.  At 
half-past  seven  to  a  moment,  Mr.  Moody  stepped  on  to 
the  dais,  while  Mr.  Sankey  took  his  place  at  the  organ ; 
and  the  former,  in  the  least  conventional  of  voices,  said 
'Let  us  rise  and  sing  to  the  praise  of  God.  Let  us  praise 
him  for  what  he  is  going  to  do  in  London.'  The  re- 
sponse, as  the  people  sung  the  familiar  doxology,  was 
thrilling;  and  no  sooner  had  the  strain  ceased  than  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Billing,  the  incumbent  of  the  nearest  church, 
offered  prayer.  '  We  bless  thee,  that  we  have  seen  this 
day  and  this  hour,'  he  said ;  and  hundreds  gave  audible 
vent  to  a  thanksgiving  that  was  uttered  with  deep  fer- 
vor. Yery  hearty,  too,  were  the  'Amens '  which  follow- 
ed the  request  that  God  might  be  pleased  to  'speak  to 
all  London'  by  the  mouth  of  his  servants  from  the  other 
side  of  the  sea.  Mr.  Moody  gave  out  the  Scotch  version 
of  the  hundredth  Psalm,  Mr.  Sankey  saying,  'Let  us  rise 
and  sing.     Let  all  the  people  sing.'     To  all,  but  more 


350  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

especially  to  the  Scottish  friends,  that  was  a  soul-stirring 
strain. 

"  Mr.  Moody  then  stated  that  he  had  that  day  received 
dispatches  from  all  the  great  cities  in  Britain,  letting  him 
know  that  the  people  were  praying  for  London.  All 
their  expectations  must  be  in  vain  unless  they  were  de- 
pending upon  God.  He  therefore  asked  them  to  spend 
a  few  moments  in  silent  prayer.  Hereupon  a  great  calm 
fell  upon  the  assembly,  and  every  head  was  bowed.  In 
a  minute  or  two  the  hush  was  broken  by  the  voice  of 
Mr.  Moody,  who  prayed  that  God's  blessing  might  rest 
upon  the  work  on  which  they  were  now  entering,  and 
that  many  might  be  encouraged  to  go  out  and  labor  in 
this  dark  city.  '  It  is  a  great  city,'  he  said,  '  but  thou 
art  a  great  God.  May  we  ask  great  things,  and  expect 
them.'  He  gave  special  thanks  for  the  many  ministers 
present,  and  prayed  that  there  might  be  'no  strife  among 
the  herdmen.'  Mr.  Sankey  then  sung  the  solo  'Jesus 
of  Nazareth  passeth  by,'  explaining  before  he  did  so 
that  it  was  simply  a  Christian  song.  'May  the  Lord 
bless  the  singing  of  this  song  here,  as  he  has  blessed  it 
elsewhere,'  said  Mr.  Sankey,  and  he  requested  the  people 
to  keep  very  still.  The  first  stanza,  and  especially  the 
line  'What  means  this  strange  commotion?'  was  thrill- 
ing in  its  effect;  but  a  slight  disturbance  in  a  distant 
part  of  the  hall  somewhat  marred  the  closing  verses. 
At  the  end  of  the  piece  some  present  began  to  applaud  ; 
but  they  were  instantly  rebuked  into  silence  by  a  mur- 
mured 'Hush  !'  from  thousands  of  lips." 


LOXDOX.  351 

OUTLINE   OF  MR.  MOODY'S  ADDRESS. 

"  Mr.  Moody,  after  reading  1  Corinthians  i.,  from  the 
seventeenth  verse  to  the  end,  said  he  had  reeeived  letters 
from  a  great  many  Christians  in  London,  who  were  pray- 
ing that  God  might  revive  his  work  here.  His  great  fear 
in  coming  to  this  city  was  that  many  might  be  leaning 
upon  man,  and  upon  the  arm  of  flesh,  and  might  take 
their  eyes  off  from  the  living  God.  If  a  work  was  to  be 
done  in  London,  however,  God  must  do  it.  It  was  not 
any  new  Gospel  that  London  wanted,  nor  any  new  pow- 
er. It  was  the  same  old,  old  story,  that  the  ministers  of 
the  churches  had  been  telling  continually.  God's  ways 
were  not  our  ways,  nor  his  thoughts  our  thoughts,  and 
we  must  not  mark  out  channels  for  the  Holy  Ghost  to 
work  in  when  he  comes. 

"  When  God  was  going  to  destroy  the  world,  and  want- 
ed an  ark  built,  he  did  not  tell  a  nation  to  do  it,  neither 
did  he  call  upon  hundreds  of  men  to  do  it,  but  one  man, 
and  he  a  man  who  was  contemptible  in  the  sight  of  the 
world ;  for  the  world  laughed  at  him  and  mocked  him. 
What  was  highly  esteemed  by  man  was  an  abomination 
to  God,  and  what  was  highly  esteemed  by  God  was  an 
abomination  to  man.  When  he  wanted  to  bring  three 
millions  of  people  out  of  Egypt,  his  way  of  doing  it  was 
quite  different  from  any  that  man  would  have  adopted. 
He  did  not  send  an  army  with  chariots,  but  a  man  who 
had  been  forty  years  on  the  back  side  of  the  desert,  and 
whose  name  had  been  forgotten  among  the  children  of 
Israel,  a  man  slow  of  speech,  a  stuttering  man. 

"  There  was  not  a  man  whose  name  shone  out  on  the 
page  of  divine  history  but  was  considered  a  fool  in  his. 


352  THE   WORK   OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

day.  He  had  no  doubt  that  Enoch  was  considered  a 
great  fool  in  the  sight  of  the  world,  but  he  walked  with 
God,  and  God  thought  so  much  of  him  that  he  said 
'Come  up  higher,'  for  he  liked  his  company.  Noah 
was  the  laughing-stock  of  his  day.  Men  made  great 
sport  of  him ;  but  he  was  willing  to  be  a  fool  for  God's 
sake,  and  God  used  him  and  blessed  him.  And  if  we 
want  to  be  of  use  to  God  we  must  be  willing  to  be  fools 
in  the  sight  of  the  world.  Look  at  Joshua  going  round 
the  walls  of  Jericho.  It  was  a  most  absurd  sight.  How 
the  London  press  would  have  come  down  upon  a  scene 
like  that!  Fancy  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  and 
other  great  dignitaries  going  round  London  blowing 
rams'  horns.  Every  body  would  be  disgusted,  and  say 
they  should  have  golden  trumpets  at  least.  But  that 
was  not  God's  way.  Look  at  Samson.  When  the  Spirit 
was  on  him,  how  he  worked!  With  a  jaw-bone  of  an 
ass  he  slew  a  thousand  men.  People  nowadays  were  not 
willing  to  work  with  a  jaw-bone  of  an  ass.  They  wanted 
some  polished  weapons  that  the  world  would  not  say  any 
thing  against;  but  Samson  came  down  from  the  rock, 
and  took  up  the  first  jaw-bone  of  an  ass  that  he  came 
across,  and  went  out  and  slew  the  Philistines  right  and 
left.  What  was  wanted  now  was  that  every  one  should 
grab  up  the  first  jaw-bone  of  an  ass  that  he  could  lay 
hold  of,  and  not  wait  to  do  some  great  thing,  now  ab- 
surd it  must  have  looked  to  see  Gideon,  with  his  three 
hundred  men  with  their  pitchers!  What  queer  weapons 
those  were!  but  every  man  stood  in  his  place,  and  the 
result  was  that  they  routed  the  whole  army.  Look  at 
Elijah  fed  by  such  unclean,  contemptible  things  as  ravens; 
and  when  the  Lord  sent  him  somewhere  else,  it  was  not 


LONDON.  353 

to  a  palace  or  to  a  table  laid  with  good  things,  but  to  a 
poor  widow  who  had  scarcely  enough  for  a  meal  for  her- 
self and  her  boy.  So  it  was  at  the  present  day,  for  God 
was  unchangeable. 

"It  was  said  that  we  are  living  in  an  enlightened  age. 
That  might  be  true,  but  to  God  it  made  no  difference. 
He  still  used  base  and  contemptible  and  despised  things 
to  effect  his  purpose.  When  he  wanted  a  book  written 
that  should  do  some  good  to  the  world,  he  did  not  call 
forth  a  philosopher,  but  a  Bedford  tinker,  and  the  devil 
had  his  match  when  he  got  hold  of  John  Bunyan. 
There  was  not  a  man  present  at  the  gathering  whom  God 
could  not  use  if  he  were  willing  to  be  used,  There  was 
not  a  man  in  all  Saul's  army  but  knew  that  God  could 
use  him  against  Goliath,  but  only  one,  and  he,  the  young- 
est of  Jesse's  family,  was  willing  to  be  used.  It  was 
said  of  David's  soldiers  that  they  were  all  right  and 
left  handed  men.  That  was  what  London  wanted  now, 
men  who  could  use  their  right  hand  or  their  left  hand, 
their  eyes,  their  tongues,  their  ears  for  the  King  of  Glory. 
Who  would  have  thought  of  Elisha  to  take  the  place 
of  the  wonderful  old  prophet  Elijah?  Men  nowadays 
would  go  to  the  schools  of  the  prophets  and  pick  out 
some  theological  professor,  but  Elijah  found  a  man  be- 
hind twelve  yoke  of  oxen,  and  Elisha  slew  his  oxen,  and 
started  off  with  Elijah,  consecrating  all  to  the  service 
of  God.  Christ  did  not  call  around  him  the  learned  and 
the  wise,  but  Galilean  fishermen,  and  that  handful  of 
men  shook  the  world.  Even  before  he  could  use  Saul 
the  name  had  to  be  changed  to  Paul — the  Little.  What 
London  wanted,  and  what  the  whole  world  wanted,  was 
not  eloquence,  but  Christ  and  him  crucified.     Let  every 


354  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

man  and  woman,  then,  who  loved  the  Lord  Jesus,  begin 
to  publish  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation ;  let  them  talk  to 
their  neighbors  of  the  love  of  Christ,  and  so  rise  and 
take  the  city,  for  God  was  able  to  do  it.  The  world  did 
not  like  to  have  Christ  preached,  but  it  was  just  what  the 
world  did  not  like  that  Christians  must  give  it.  The 
lion  of  hell  was  overcome  by  a  lion  ;  but  the  Lion  of  the 
tribe  of  Judah  was  also  a  Lamb.  There  was  weeping 
once  in  heaven  when  John  found  no  one  worthy  to  open 
the  book  ;  but  at  last  one  touched  him,  and  said,  "  Weep 
not,  John,  for  there  is  one  worthy ;  the  Lion  of  the  tribe 
of  Judah  has  prevailed,  and  he  is  worthy."  And  when 
John  turned  round  to  look  at  the  Lion  it  was  a  slain 
Lamb.     God's  Lion  is  a  Lamb  slain. 

"  Then,  to  attain  success  there  must  be  union  among 
Christians.  There  were  three  classes  of  people  that 
ought  to  sympathize  with  this  movement.  Every  min- 
ister who  wanted  to  crown  Christ  king  ought  to  be  in- 
terested in  the  work ;  every  Sabbath-school  superintend- 
ent and  teacher,  every  missionary  and  colporteur,  ought 
at  least  to  pray  for  it,  and  every  father  and  mother  ought 
to  join  in  it.  When  he  was  in  Liverpool  the  other  day, 
a  woman  came  to  him  with  a  photograph  of  a  beautiful 
boy,  who,  she  said,  would  now  be  nineteen  years  old. 
She  said  he  had  had  trouble,  and  had  fled  from  his  home. 
She  did  not  know  what  had  become  of  him,  and  she 
asked  him,  if  he  saw  him  in  London,  to  try  and  win  him 
to  the  Lord,  that  he  might  come  back  to  cheer  her  heart. 
There  were  many  such  boys  in  London,  and  he  hoped 
God  would  bring  them  to  Christ,  so  that  they  might  go 
back  to  be  a  blessing  to  their  parents  and  to  the  Church 
at  lar^e.     To  all  such  he  would  say,  '  Your  mother  still 


LONDON.  355 

i 

loves  you,  and  wants  you  to  return.  Her  heart  is  break- 
ing for  you.  God  wants  you;  Jesus  wants  you.  There 
is  room  in  heaven  for  you.' 

"  If  there  was  unity  among  God's  people  in  this  work, 
no  combination  of  power  could  stand  against  it.  When 
the  Church,  the  pulpit,  and  the  pew  were  all  of  one 
mind,  Christianity  would  be  like  a  red-hot  ball  roll- 
ing over  the  earth,  and  all  the  hosts  of  death  and  hell 
would  not  be  able  to  resist  it.  '  By  this,'  said  Christ, 
"  shall  men  know  that  ye  are  my  disciples,  if  ye  love  one 
another.' 

"  When  General  Grant  was  marching  on  Richmond,  and 
his  army  had  been  repulsed  in  the  Wilderness,  he  called 
his  commanders  together,  and  asked  them  what  they 
thought  he  had  better  do.  They  advised  him  to  retreat, 
but  before  morning  an  orderly  was  sent  round,  directing 
an  advance  in  solid  column  on  the  enemy  at  daylight. 
That  was  what  took  Eichmond,  and  broke  down  the  re- 
bellion. The  Christians  of  London,  too,  must  lift  high 
the  standard,  and,  in  the  name  of  their  God,  advance  in 
solid  column  on  the  enemy  before  daylight.  Let  them 
work  together,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  with  a  single  eye  to 
the  honor  and  glory  of  Christ;  let  them  pray  that  they 
might  get  self  out  of  the  way,  and  that  Christ  might  be 
all  and  in  all,  and  then  they  would  have  success.  Let 
their  watchword  be  'Here  am  I;  send  me,' and  the 
result  was  certain." 

The  first  daily  prayer-meeting  was  held  on  Wednes- 
day, March  10th,  in  Exeter  Hall,  Strand.  Long  before 
the  hour  of  commencing  the  crowds  poured  in,  and  pre- 
cisely at  noon  Messrs.  Moody  and  San  key  appeared  with 


356  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

the  Committee.  The  meeting  was  opened  by  singing 
"  Sweet  Hour  of  Prayer,"  followed  by  requests,  silent  and 
audible  prayer,  and  the  singing  of  "  The  Great  Physi- 
cian." Mr.  Moody's  address  followed,  from  Jeremiah 
xxxiii.,  27:  "Is  there  any  thing  too  hard  for  me?"  This 
is  God's  challenge  to  Christians  to  call  upon  him,  to  cast 
out  all  "  ifs,"  all  doubt  and  unbelief,  and  rely  joyfully 
upon  the  Lord  God  who  made  heaven  and  earth.  He 
also  read  a  most  touching  extract  from  the  first  letter  re- 
ceived in  London  concerning  a  child,  who  had  proposed 
to  wait  for  their  coming  to  be  a  Christian  ;  but  had  found 
the  pearl  of  great  price,  and  been  "  called  home,"  before 
they  reached  the  city.  Mr.  Sankey  then  sung  "  The 
Ninety  and  Nine,"  and  the  meeting  was  thrown  open. 

SUBSEQUENT  MEETINGS. 

Full  accounts  of  subsequent  meetings  are  given  in 
Times  of  Blessing  for  March  18th,  1875,  from  which  we 
give  the  following  passages : 

"  On  Wednesday  evening,  March  10th,  the  second 
meeting  was  held  in  the  Agricultural  Hall.  The  serv- 
ices commenced  by  Mr.  Stevenson  Blackwood  engaging 
in  prayer,  after  singing  the  hymn,  'I  heard  the  voice  of 
Jesus  say.'  Mr.  Moody  read  part  of  Ezekiel  xxxiv. 
and  Luke  xv.,  commenting  as  he  went  on,  then  an- 
nounced the  coming  meetings  on  the  Lord's  day — at  8 
A.M.  for  workers,  at  3  p.m.  for  women,  and  at  8  p.m.  for 
men.  Tickets  would  be  issued  for  all  these  meetings. 
Silent  prayer  and  singing  followed,  'Lord,  I  hear  of 
showers  of  blessing.' 

"Mr.  Moody  then  spoke  from  Luke  xix.,  10:  cThe 
Son  of  Man  is  come  to  seek  and  to  save  that  which  was 


LOXDON.  .    357 

lost.'  It  was  speedily  apparent  that  great  blessings  from 
on  high  were  descending  upon  that  meeting.  The  ad- 
dress was  full  of  power;  anecdote,  illustration,  Scripture 
entreaty,  persuasion,  succeeded  each  other  with  lightning 
speed  and  intense  force,  while  the  vast  audience  listened 
with  rapt  attention.  As  the  interest  heightened,  and  story 
after  story  was  told,  many  could  be  seen  wiping  the  tears 
away,  apparently  unconscious  of  what  they  were  doing. 
The  graphic  picture  of  the  meeting  of  Bartimeus  and 
Zaccheus,  after  the  former  had  been  healed,  was  very  im- 
pressive ;  and  the  quiet  hit  at  those  'who  don't  believe 
in  sudden  conversions,'  in  the  statement  that  Zaccheus 
1  was  converted  between  the  branches  and  the  ground,' 
was  greatly  enjoyed.  The  story  that  followed,  of '  the 
young  man  converted  on  his  mother's  grave,'  gave  occa- 
sion for  an  impassioned  appeal  to  turn  to  Jesus  then  and 
there.  Silent  prayer  followed  the  conclusion  of  the  ad- 
dress; and,  amidst  a  hush  that  was  almost  awful,  the 
sound  of  music  floated  on  the  air,  and  Mr.  Sankey  sung 
softly  'Come  home — come  home;'  every  head  bowed, 
thousands  earnestly  praying,  while  the  soft  music  seemed 
to  enter  into  the  very  souls  of  that  mass  of  humanity, 
bowing  and  swaying,  even  the  hardest,  to  thoughts  of  re- 
pentance and  prayer.  Then  Lord  Eadstock  concluded 
with  prayer,  and  the  hymn  'I  hear  thy  welcome  Voice' 
was  sung  as  Mr.  Moody  went  from  the  Hall  to  the  first 
inquiry-meeting  in  London.  Many  hundreds  followed 
him,  but  whether  workers  or  inquirers  did  not  at  the 
time  appear,  and  it  is  too  early  yet  to  speak  of  results. 

"The  third  evening  service  was  much  more  largely 
attended  than  the  second,  every  seat  in  the  hall  being 
occupied,  and  the  galleries  well  filled.     The  choir  sung 


358  THE  WORK  OF  GOB  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

several  hymns  before  the  service  commenced,  with  the 
well-known  '  Maggie  Lindsay  '  hymn  (as  it  is  called  here), 
'  The  Gate  Ajar,'  followed  by  prayer  by  the  Rev.  J.  Math- 
eson,  of  Hampstead.  '  The  Great  Physician '  was  next 
sung,  and  the  reading  followed  from  Luke  x.,  being  the 
parable  of  the  Good  Samaritan,  in  which  the  priest  and 
Levite  were  used  as  types  of  Churchmen  and  Dissenters 
to  the  credit  of  neither  party.  '  Rock  of  Ages '  was  next 
sung,  and  Mr.  Moody  resumed  his  discourse  of  the  pre- 
ceding evening  from  Luke  xix.,  10. 

"  The  address  was  most  solemn,  concluding  with  an 
exhortation  to  immediate  and  final  decision.  Mr.  Moody 
ended  his  discourse  by  prayer.  Then  'Safe  in  the  Arms 
of  Jesus '  was  sung,  followed  by  silent  prayer.  Next, 
'  Guide  me,  0  thou  great  Jehovah,'  closing  with  the  ben- 
ediction and  inquiry-meeting. 

"Thus  ended  the  first  three  of  these  noon  prayer- 
meetings,  and  the  first  three  nights  of  work  in  London. 
And  it  is  simple  truth  to  state  that  such  meetings  were 
never  held  before  in  London,  if  ever  they  were  in  the 
world's  history.  In  three  days  of  noon  and  evening 
service,  about  eighty  thousand  have  listened  to  the  glori- 
ous Gospel  of  the  blessed  God.  Well  might  Mr.  Moody 
express  his  thankfulness  to  God  for  the  encouragement 
he  had  received,  and  his  deep  sense  of  the  sympathy 
and  help  extended  to  him  and  his  colleague,  in  their 
great  work.  Surety,  when  bankers  and  rich  merchants 
and  ministers  holding  high  official  positions  are  content 
to  be  doorkeepers,  it  must  be  said,  'We  never  saw  it 
after  this  fashion  ;'  and  this  was  exactly  the  case  at  the 
door  of  Exeter  Hall  yesterday. 

"Every  day  has  witnessed  most  interesting  cases  of 


LONDON.  359 

conversion.  One  young  lady  said  'she  was  so  happy, 
she  seemed  to  tread  on  air ;'  and  in  instance  after  in- 
stance the  testimonies  multiplied,  till  we  could  only  re- 
joice in  believing  that  numbers  were  born  again — 'not 
of  corruptible  seed,  but  of  the  incorruptible,  which  liveth 
and  abideth  forever.'" 

MEETINGS   ON  SUNDAY. 

The  Times  of  Blessing  for  March  25th,  1875,  gives  the 
following  thrilling  account  by  the  Rev.  C.  J.  Whitmore : 

"  On  Sunday  morning,  March  14th,  the  usual  unbroken 
quiet  of  Islington  experienced  a  striking  change.  From 
every  direction  bands  of  well-dressed  people  were  hast- 
ening to  the  Agricultural  Hall.  Many  parties  of  singers 
had  arranged  to  meet  in  their  different  localities,  and 
marched  with  songs  to  their  destination.  Sunday-school 
teachers  resident  in  the  line  of  march  near  to  the  Hall 
had  invited  their  fellow-laborers  to  breakfast  at  a  very 
unusual  hour;  while  the  venders  of  hymns  and  papers 
round  the  Hall  took  their  usual  week-day  positions,  and 
transacted  a  large  amount  of  buying  and  selling,  to  which 
multitudes  made  strong  and  indignant  objection.  Pour- 
ing in  at  all  the  entrances  to  the  Hall,  there  was  speed- 
ily convened  such  a  gathering  of  its  Christian  workers 
as  London  had  never  seen.  It  was  a  complete  re-union. 
Friends,  whom  the  exigencies  of  work  had  separated  for 
years,  met  and  clasped  hands  once  more ;  young  men 
grown  old  in  service  met  with  others  in  like  condition, 
whom  they  had  labored  with  in  years  of  strength;  and 
comely  matrons'  faces  were  recognized  as  those  of  former 
girls  in  Sunday-schools.  Long  before  all  old  friends 
could  be  recognized  and  greeted  the  time  for  the  serv- 


360  THE  WORK  OF  GOB  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

ice  arrived,  and  the  evangelists  stood  face  to  face  with 
many  thousands  of  the  Christian  workers  of  the  great 
metropolis  for  the  first  time. 

"Cool,  prompt,  and  business-like  as  ever,  Mr.  Moody 
announced  the  first  song  would  be  '  Hold  the  Fort,' 
which,  being  recognized  as  peculiarly  appropriate  to  the 
occasion,  was  sung  with  a  vigor  that  left  nothing  to  be 
desired.  Earnest  praj^er  followed,  and  then  the  hymn, 
4  Stand  up,  stand  up  for  Jesus.'  Mr.  Moody  read  part  of 
Isaiah  vi.,  ending  with,  'Here  am  I;  send  me!'  and  call- 
ed upon  Mr.  Sankey  to  sing  the  melody  known  by  that 
title.  Then  the  congregation  sung,  'I  love  to  tell  the 
Story,'  and  Mr.  Moody's  address  was  given. 

"  The  text  was  Daniel  xii.}  3, '  They  that  be  wise  shall 
shine,'  etc. ;  and  Mr.  Moody  proceeded  to  say,  '  We  all 
like  to  shine,  and  had  better  own  np!  But  who  shall 
shine?  The  wise!  and  thus  the  glorious  privilege  of 
eternal  splendor  was  held  forth  to  all  engaged  in  Chris- 
tian work!  But  personal  conversion  must  precede  the 
conversion  of  others  by  us.'  Here  he  narrated  a  strik- 
ing instance  of  a  Sunday  -  school  superintendent  who 
was  not  converted,  but,  finding  this  to  be  so,  went  hon- 
estly to  his  minister,  and  offered  to  resign.  The  minister 
suggested  a  more  excellent  way — that  the  superintend- 
ent should  first  turn  to  the  Lord  at  once,  and  then  con- 
tinue his  labors.  This  was  done;  he  turned  to  the  will- 
ing Saviour,  and  then  became  the  means  of  the  conver- 
sion of  the  teachers,  and  of  a  great  revival  in  the  school. 
It  was  the  duty  of  each  Christian — not  duty,  but  privilege 
(away  with  mere  duty  !  we  did  not  talk  of  duty  to  wives 
and  mothers,  and  why  in  religion  ?) — to  speak  to  some 
person  daily.     For  twelve  years  there  had  scarcely  been 


LOXBOX  361 

a  da}'  in  which  he  had  not  done  this.  Seek  out  friends, 
and  bring  them  into  the  current,  that  they  might  get  a 
blessing,  and  pass  it  on.  We  must  also  get  into  sympa- 
thy with  the  unsaved. 

"When  he  was  laboring  in  the  school  at  Chicago,  a 
teacher,  who  was  going  away  to  die,  came  to  him  in  bit- 
ter trouble  about  his  unconverted  class.  He  felt  his 
strength  too  far  gone  to  visit  them ;  they  were  unsaved, 
and  he  was  leaving  them — going  away  forever.  Mr. 
Moody  procured  a  carriage,  and  they  went  together  day 
after  clay  for  ten  days,  until  the  teacher  had  seen  all, 
pleaded  with  all,  and  won  them  all  for  Jesus.  The  tear- 
ful eyes,  the  pale  face,  and  the  deep  sympathy  had  tri- 
umphed for  Christ!  Then  they  all  met  him  on  the  plat- 
form, and  the  wave  of  his  hand  from  the  carriage  was  a 
last,  long  farewell.  The  effect  produced  by  this  narra- 
tion was  very  deep.  Sobs  and  tears  were  almost  uni- 
versal. Strong  men  were  weeping  like  children,  and 
the  speaker  himself  wept  abundantly  as  he  remembered 
and  depicted  the  touching  scene.  '  Yes,'  he  continued, 
'we  must  get  in  sympathy — make  their  case  ours,  their 
troubles  and  sorrows  ours,  and  then  we  shall  have  pre- 
vailing power.'  He  spoke  of  a  poor  mother  whose  child 
had  been  drowned  in  procuring  drift-wood  from  the  river, 
and  whom  he  had  visited  along;  with  his  little  daughter. 
'  "If  that  was  me,"  said  my  child,  "  wouldn't  you  feel 
bad,  father?  Don't  you  feel  bad  for  the  poor  mother?" 
'This  unlocked  the  springs  of  sympathy,  and  I  did  feel 
bad  for  her.  I  found  a  grave  for  the  poor  child,  and 
afterward  bought  ground  for  a  Sunday  -  school  lot,  to 
bury  a  hundred  of  our  poor  little  scholars.'  In  the 
midst  of  a  most  striking  scene  of  weeping  such  as  that 

16 


362  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITA1X. 

hall  had  never  seen  before,  the  address  concluded,  and 
Mr.  Moody  attempted  to  pray.  So  deeply  was  he  moved, 
that  he  was  compelled  to  pause  in  his  prayer,  amidst 
dead  silence,  to  recover  himself,  and  be  able  to  proceed. 
Then  we  sung  { Work,  for  the  night  is  coming,'  and  the 
benediction  ended  the  first  workers'  meeting. 

"  On  Sunday  afternoon,  at  three,  the  first  special  meet- 
ing for  women  was  held.  The  service  commenced  by 
singing  'The  Great  Physician,'  after  which  prayer  was 
offered  by  Eev.  R.  W.  Billing,  chairman  of  the  North 
London  Committee,  followed  by  the  hymn,  'I  hear  Thy 
welcome  Voice.'  Mr.  Moody  read  Psalm  lvii.,  and  Mr. 
Sankey  sung  '  The  Ninety  and  Nine.'  Where  all  the 
singing  is  so  good,  it  is  hard  to  particularize ;  but  this 
seems  to  be  one  of  his  own  favorites,  and  is  most  certain- 
ly a  favorite  with  the  people.  Then  all  joined  in  singing 
'Free  from  the  Law,'  and  Mr.  Moody  commenced  his 
discourse  from  Genesis  iii.,  9:  'Where  art  thou?'  Was 
ever  such  a  gathering,  of  women  only,  convened  before 
simpty  to  hear  the  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  God?  There 
were,  at  the  lowest  computation,  about  seventeen  thou- 
sand women  present,  and  the  power  of  the  Spirit  was 
clearly  there  :  tears  and  sobs  and  repressed  cries,  anxious 
faces,  low,  earnest  words  and  entreaties  for  mercy  were 
all  around,  as  the  discourse  proceeded  from  point  to  point. 
'  God  was  the  preacher  of  this  sermon,'  said  Mr.  Moody  ; 
'and  though  the  first  audience  was  small,  the  sermon  has 
come  rolling  down  the  ages,  and  many,  I  hope,  are  ask- 
ing themselves  this  question  now.  I  am  speaking  to 
professors,  to  backsliders,  and  to  those  who  never  made 
profession,  but  all  equally  lost.  There  are  three  steps 
to  ruin  —  neglecting,  refusing,  despising  the  good  news 


LONDON.  363 

of  God.'  The  discourse  concluded,  Mr.  Moody  offered 
earnest  prayer;  silent  prayer  followed,  and  then  the  soft, 
persuasive  strain,  '  Come  Home,'  from  Mr.  Sankey,  arose 
upon  the  meeting,  the  choir  singing  the  chorus.  Then 
all  sung  the  hymn,  'Lord,  I  hear  of  showers  of  blessing,' 
and  the  meeting  closed  to  allow  inquirers  to  gather. 
Such  a  number  accepted  the  invitation  that  the  large 
inquiry -room  could  not  contain  them,  and  many  were 
spoken  to  in  the  bitter  cold  without  the  room. 

"  The  evening  service  was  for  men  only,  instead  of 
women.  Thousands  of  women,  nevertheless,  accompa- 
nied their  male  friends  in  hope  of  admission,  but  were 
disappointed — they  could  not  be  admitted.  Neverthe- 
less, the  building  was  filled  to  its  utmost  capacity,  and 
the  doors  were  closed  nearly  an  hour  before  the  service 
commenced.  The  would-be  infidel  orator  of  London  is 
in  the  habit  of  saying,  c  Religion  is  an  affair  of  priests 
and  women.'  Never  again  will  he  be  able  to  repeat  that 
taunt,  after  the  meeting  on  Sunday  evening  last,  when 
nearly  twenty-five  thousand  men  of  London  were  held 
breathless  by  the  simple  preaching  and  singing  of  the 
Gospel  of  Christ !  Before  the  address  was  delivered,  Mr. 
Sankey  sung  'Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth  by;'  himself 
singing  the  verses,  and  the  vast  multitude  joining  in 
the  last  line  in  each  verse,  thus  producing  the  effect  of 
one  of  the  mightiest  choruses  ever  sung  on  earth.  Af- 
ter  the  address  the  inquiry-room  was  opened,  while  the 
meeting  in  the  hall  continued  with  praise  and  prayer. 

"So  great  had  been  the  effect  produced,  so  large  was 
the  number  of  inquirers  who  were  not  'priests'  or  '  wom- 
en,' that  there  were  not  enough  workers  present  to  deal 
with  them.     Nor  can  this  be  wondered  at.     Christians 


364:  THE   WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

had  been  entreated  and  enjoined  to  stay  away,  that  the 
unconverted  might  have  all  the  room ;  and  this  request 
was  too  literally  obeyed.  It  may  also  be  noted  that 
most  of  Mr.  Moody's  best  helpers  have  much  work  of 
their  own  on  the  Lord's  day,  which  can  not  be  neglect- 
ed even  for  the  inquiry-room.  With  all  the  will  to  help, 
churches,  chapels,  and  missions  must  not  be  left  untend- 
ed,  through  the  temptation  of  the  attractive  and  pleasant 
work  prcvided  at  Islington." 

THE  TIDE   RISING. 

"  The  meetings  on  Monday,  Tuesday,  and  Wednesday 
were  crowded,  and  full  of  interest.  There  was  the  usual 
crowded  hall  at  the  noon  prayer-meeting  on  Thursday, 
March  18th.  The  first  song  was  'The  Great  Physi- 
cian ;'  afterward  Mr.  Quinton  Hogg  read  the  requests  for 
prayer,  and  the  Kev.  J.  Morgan  led  in  prayer.  '  Over 
There '  was  next  heartily  sung,  and  Mr.  Moody  spoke  on 
'Prayer,'  specially  the  disciples'  prayer,  commonly  call- 
ed the  'Lord's  Prayer;'  but,  said  he,  the  Lord's  Prayer 
is  found  in  John  xvii.  The  principal  point  was  forgive- 
ness in  order  to  be  forgiven.  This  he  illustrated  by 
several  touching  incidents.  After  the  address  Mr.  San- 
key  sung  'Mary  Magdalene,'  and  several  brethren  en- 
gaged in  prayer.  One  of  these  ended  by  repeating  the 
disciples'  prayer,  in  which  the  whole  gathering  joined, 
producing  a  most  striking  effect;  for  as  the  subdued 
voices  rose  and  fell,  it  was  with  a  thrilling  grandeur  of 
sound,  resembling  heavy  artillery  heard  far  away. 

"  The  service  in  the  Hall  in  the  afternoon  and  even- 
ing showed  clearly  how  the  wave  of  attraction  is  rising 
higher  and  higher;  though,  perhaps,  the  unusual  mild- 


LONDON.  365 

ness  and  beauty  of  the  day  might  have  allowed  many 
to  attend  who  had  hitherto  been  prevented.  The  after- 
noon service  commenced  with  'Wondrous  Love,'  prayer, 
'  Stand  up  for  Jesus,'  and  reading  a  part  of  1  Corinthi- 
ans xv.  by  Mr.  Moody.  Then,  by  special  request,  Mr. 
Sankey  sung  'The  Ninety  and  Nine.'  Mr.  Moody's  ad- 
dress was  on  the  word  'Gospel,'  or  'good  news.'  The 
Gospel  was  angelic  news,  and  it  was  sung  before  it  was 
preached.  It  was  the  knowledge  of  the  life  and  death 
of  the  Son  of  God  for  us  !  It  was  the  sight  of  Jesus ; 
at  which  sight  Paul  was  brought  under  such  deep  con- 
viction that  he  couldn't  eat  for  three  days!  Every  man 
likes  his  enemies  out  of  his  way,  and  the  Gospel  took 
three  great  enemies — sin,  death,  and  judgment — out  of 
our  way  forever.  For  though  we  might  die,  death  had 
nothing ;  the  sting  of  death  was  buried  in  the  bosom  of 
the  Son  of  God.  The  frontier  men,  when  the  prairies 
were  burning,  set  fire  to  the  part  near  them  ;  and  when  it 
was  burned  bare,  stood  upon  it,  and  so  saved  their  lives. 
There's  one  mountain-peak  the  fire  of  God's  wrath  has 
swept  over,  and  now  it  is  safe  forever,  and  that  is  Mount 
Calvary.  Then  he  told  of  a  father  and  son  who  had 
been  at  enmity  for  years,  but  were  brought  together  by 
the  dying  wife  and  mother,  but  only  reconciled  over  her 
dead  body  ;  so  the  sinner  was  reconciled  to  God  over  the 
dead  body  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  Mr.  Sankey  sung  '  Come 
Home,'  and  the  meeting  was  adjourned  to  the  inquiry- 
room,  whither  many  retired." 

The  meetings  continued  with  unabated  interest  during 
the  week,  and  closed  with  mighty  manifestations  of  di- 
vine power.  "A  great  treat  was  enjoyed  on  Sabbath 
morning,  March  21st,  at  the  Agricultural  Hall.     It  was 


366  THE  WORE  OF  GOD  IX  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

the  meeting  for  Christian  workers,  which  Mr.  Moody  de- 
lights to  address,  and  was  very  largely  attended.  On 
this  occasion  admission  was  by  special  ticket.  Before 
eight  o'clock,  when  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr.  Sankey  entered 
the  hall,  the  immense  area  was  quite  filled ;  and  there 
were  many  in  the  galleries,  while  it  need  hardly  be  said 
that  every  seat  on  the  platform  was  occupied.  It  may 
be  safely  stated  that  there  were  not  fewer  than  nine  or 
ten  thousand  persons  present.  Mr.  Moody  was  much  im- 
pressed ;  and  it  was  a  touching  sight  to  see  the  multi- 
tudes of  Sabbath -school  teachers  and  others  streaming 
along  through  every  street  in  Islington,  by  which  we 
found  our  way  to  the  hall.  The  meeting  was  opened 
with  the  bright  hymn,  'Eing  the  bells  of  heaven;  there 
is  joy  to-day,'  led  by  Mr.  Sankey ;  and  after  prayer  by 
the  Rev.  Henry  Allon,  Mr.  Moody  read  from  the  twenty- 
fifth  chapter  of  Matthew  the  parable  of  the  Talents,  noting, 
as  he  passed,  that  the  third  man,  to  whom  was  given  one 
talent,  was  the  only  one  who  said  that  he  knew  his  Lord. 
Mr.  Moody  also  read  part  of  the  twenty-fifth  of  Exodus: 
God's  offering  to  be  taken  from  every  man  that  giveth 
willingly,  and  from  the  heart.  Mr.  Sankey  then  sung 
'Only  an  Armor-bearer.'  This  seemed  to  give  special 
delight  to  the  people,  who  joined  in  the  chorus  heartily. 
Mr.  Moody's  address  from  the  text,  '  To  every  man  ac- 
cording to  his  several  ability,'  was  very  telling,  and  kept 
the  entire  audience  in  rapt  attention  for  half  an  hour. 
It  was  full  of  stimulus  and  of  encouragement  to  the 
worker  for  Christ.  Laying  the  foundation  that  we  must 
first  come  to  Christ  before  we  can  engage  in  any  accept- 
able service  for  him,  he  showed  that  when  any  one  is 
converted  and  brought  to  Christ,  it  is  because  God  has 


LONDON.  367 

something  for  him  to  do — 'To  every  man  his  work;' 
and  he  enforced  and  illustrated  many  admirable  counsels 
in  the  happiest  way.  We  could  not  but  feel  that  every 
word  had  been  given  him  to  speak.  The  enthusiasm 
which  can  achieve  noble  deeds  for  the  Master ;  the  bright 
sunny  nature  which  can  cheer  on  the  workers,  or  can 
give  a  life-long  memory  of  sweetness  by  its  benediction 
on  the  head  of  a  child ;  the  love  which  can  break  all 
hearts  and  win  the  most  rebellious — were  each  in  turn 
illustrated  in  a  singularly  effective  way. 

"The  meeting  the  preceding  evening  was  very  fine, 
largely  attended,  and  most  solemn  and  impressive.  The 
address  was  from  the  text,  '  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and 
preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature.'  The  after-meeting 
in  the  inquiry -room  seemed  most  interesting,  and  this 
work  is  growing  in  importance  and  value.  We  are 
profoundly  grateful  for  the  many  in  every  part  of  the 
world  who  have  been  led  to  make  much  and  earnest 
prayer  for  a  blessing  upon  this  visit  of  our  beloved 
friends  to  London.  Probably  none  can  fully  appreciate 
the  enormous  extent  of  the  field,  and  the  special  difficul- 
ties that  beset  the  work  here ;  but  the  way  is  being  won- 
derfully opened  up.  The  secular  press  speaks  of  it,  with 
scarce  an  exception,  in  terms  of  respect,  and  even  of 
hopefulness.  The  Italian  Opera  House,  in  the  Hay- 
market,  lying  vacant,  has  at  last,  after  many  difficulties, 
been  secured  for  the  work  at  the  West  End.  The 
laro-e  building  at  the  East  End,  to  hold  ten  or  twelve 
thousand,  is  satisfactorily  progressing.  The  Yictoria 
Theatre,  in  the  Waterloo  Eoad,  is  to  be  opened  for  the 
work  to-morrow  afternoon,  when  Mr.  Moody  is  to  begin 
a  series  of  addresses  there;  and  a  special  building  of 


368  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

larger  dimensions  is  to  be  erected  for  future  meetings. 
I  may  add  that  the  large  funds  required  for  these  out- 
lays are  coming  rapidly  in.  These  are  the  outward 
things.  There  are  not  wanting  tokens  of  precious  spir- 
itual blessings  besrinnino-  to  flow  down  from  Him  whose 
prerogative  it  is  to  give  the  increase.  Let  friends  con- 
tinue to  remember  us.  Pray  on  ;  and  not  only  will  the 
Mighty  One  be  glorified,  but  all  will  share  the  bless- 
ings. If  London  is  powerfully  moved,  the  world  will  be 
blessed." 

Of  subsequent  meetings  we  would  gladly  give  de- 
tails, did  our  limits  allow.  We  have  intelligence  from 
London  up  to  April  16th,  when  four  densely  crowded 
meetings  were  held.  One  of  them,  especially  devoted  to 
students  for  the  ministry,  took  place  at  Mr.  Spurgeon's 
chapel.  Mr.  Moody  delivered  an  address  on  Christian 
work,  which  was  rapturously  applauded.  Thousands 
rose  at  his  invitation  to  go  into  the  streets  and  work  for 
Christ.  The  intense  joy  that  filled  the  hearts  of  the  vast 
throng:  can  not  be  described.  We  also  learn  that  mem- 
bers  of  the  roj^al  family  recently  attended  one  of  Mr. 
Moody's  meetings,  thus  showing  that  the  waters  of  spirit- 
ual life  that  first  appeared  among  the  humble  have  been 
steadily  rising,  until  they  have  reached  the  throne.  May 
Jesus  occupy  that  throne,  and  unite  to  himself  her  Maj- 
esty and  all  the  royal  family  in  the  bonds  of  everlasting 
love 


CONCLUSION.  369 


CONCLUSION. 


While  closing  our  narrative,  the  army  of  the  living 
God  is  steadily  marching  on  in  tin  great  metropolis, 
gathering  every  hour  trophies  for  Jesus.  Victory  fol- 
lows victory  in  rapid  succession ;  enemies  are  vanquish- 
ed; scoffers  are  silenced.  Those  who  hesitated  a  few 
weeks  ago  have  joined  the  ranks,  and  caught  the  inspira- 
tion of  the  moving  hosts.  Converts  are  multiplying,  and 
angels  are  rejoicing  over  penitent  sinners  turning  to  God. 
Thousands  of  children  join  in  the  shout:  "Hosanna  to 
the  Son  of  David.  Blessed  is  he  that  cometh  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  !" 

The  city  of  London  is  rapidly  assuming  new  aspects. 
The  centre  of  the  national  power  of  Great  Britain  is 
feeling  the  influence  of  a  higher  power  than  that  of  the 
throne.  At  the  seat  of  vast  wealth  multitudes  are  hast- 
ening to  lay  up  treasures  in  heaven.  The  ambitious 
are  turning  from  earthly  honors  to  heavenly  crowns. 
The  leading  journals  that  have  in  charge  the  order,  peace, 
and  respectability  of  her  Majesty's  realms  have  discover- 
ed a  power  in  the  movement  that  they  acknowledge  to 
the  world.  The  High-Church  dignitaries  see  the  waters 
of  salvation  rising  all  around  them  from  uncanonical 
sources ;  and  many  of  them  are  perplexed  as  to  the 
course  to  be  pursued  by  men  in  their  responsible  posi- 
tion. Having  committed  to  them  the  religious  interests 
of  the  empire,  under  laws  of  Conformity,  they  naturally 
desire  to  be  discreet  and  prudent.  But,  viewing  the 
scenes  around  them,  they  must  acknowledge,  "This  is 
the  Lord's  doing;   it  is  marvelous  in  our  eyes." 

Among  the  striking  features  of  the  movement  is  the 
16* 


370  THE  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

greatness  of  the  results,  as  compared  with  the  simplicity 
of  the  means.  There  came  to  England  two  men,  one 
with  a  Bible,  and  the  other  with  a  hymn-book;  one 
speaks,  and  the  other  sings ;  while  both  pray  in  secret 
to  God.  The  truth  spoken  makes  an  impression.  It  is 
then  clothed  with  the  melody  of  song,  and  the  impres- 
sion is  deepened.  The  truths  may,  in  some  instances, 
be  first  lodged  in  the  head,  but  the  sweet  music  takes 
them  to  the  heart,  where  the  Holy  Spirit  does  its  bless- 
ed work. 

The  preacher  is  authorized  to  speak,  as  the  Queen  is 
to  work,  "  By  the  grace  of  God."  God  fitted  him  for  his 
spiritual  work  in  a  peculiar  manner;  and  here  the  sim- 
plicity of  the  means  used  is  most  apparent.  He  is  thor- 
oughly acquainted  with  the  Holy  Scriptures,  without  the 
slightest  knowledge  of  the  original  languages  in  which 
they  were  written,  or  the  least  training  in  schools  of 
learning.  He  is  eloquent  without  any  of  the  arts  of 
oratory,  or  the  culture  of  the  principles  of  elocution.  He 
draws  the  largest  audiences  in  the  world,  and  moves 
them  with  a  power  never  surpassed  in  the  history  of  the 
Church,  because  "God  hath  chosen  the  weak  things  of 
the  world  to  confound  the  things  that  are  might}7."  He 
himself  will  not  object  to  this  allusion,  for  this  declara- 
tion of  St.  Paul  is  one  of  the  prominent  articles  in  his 
oreed,  and  must  be  in  the  creed  of  every  minister  who 
would  become  a  power  in  the  Church  for  God. 

According  to  the  published  arrangements,  Messrs. 
Moody  and  Sankey  purpose  remaining  in  London  four 
months  from  the  1st  of  March.  We  may  imagine  Jesus 
saying  to  them,  "Say  not  ye,  There  are  yet  four  months, 
and  then  "cometh  harvest?  behold  I  say  unto  you,  Lift 


conclusion.  371 

up  your  eyes  and  look  on  the  fields,  for  they  are  white 
already  to  harvest."  In  the  natural  world  there  are  four 
months  between  the  seeding  and  the  harvest;  and  often 
in  the  spiritual  world  much  time  elapses  between  the 
planting  of  the  seed  and  its  fruits.  But  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  work  the  Saviour  pointed  our  dear 
brethren  to  the  harvest  waving  all  around  them;  and 
they  began  at  once  to  "gather  fruit  unto  life  eternal." 

On  their  return  to  this  country  in  July,  or  at  such  time 
as  their  Divine  Master  may  indicate,  if  the  fields  are  pre- 
pared by  the  faithful  labors  and  earnest  prayers  of  Chris- 
tians, they  may  find  here  wide  and  glorious  harvests  to 
reap.  In  New  York,  Brooklyn,  Philadelphia,  Boston, 
Chicago,  and  other  cities,  multitudes  may  flock  to  listen 
to  Gospel  truth,  and  the  blessed  scenes  witnessed  in 
Great  Britain  maybe  repeated  in  our  own  beloved  land. 
The  two  great  Protestant  nations  of  the  earth  may  thus 
be  led  to  join  hands,  more  cordially  than  ever  before, 
in  hastening  the  day  when  there  shall  be  heard  "great 
voices  in  heaven,  saying,  The  kingdoms  of  this  world 
are  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ; 
and  He  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever"  (Rev.  xi., 
15). 


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$7  00 ;  Sheep,  $8  50 ;  Half  Calf,  $10  00. 

ALFORD'S  GREEK  TESTAMENT.  The  Greek  Testament :  with  a  critically  revised 
Text ;  a  Digest  of  Various  Readings ;  Marginal  References  to  Verbal  and  Idio- 
matic Usage  ;  Prolegomena  ;  and  a  Critical  and  Exegetical  Commentarv.  For 
the  Use  of  Theological  Students  and  Ministers.  By  Henry  Alford,  D.D~,  Dean 
of  Canterbury.  Vol.  I.,  containing  the  Four  Gospels.  044  pages,  Svo,  Cloth, 
$6  00 ;  Sheep,  $6  50. 

ABBOTT'S  FREDERICK  THE  GREAT.  The  History  of  Frederick  the  Second, 
called  Frederick  the  Great.  By  Joun  S.  C.  Abbott.  Elegantly  Illustrated.  Svo. 
Cloth,  $5  00. 

ABBOTT'S  HISTORY  OF  THE  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  The  French  Revolu- 
tion of  1TS9,  as  viewed  in  the  Light  of  Republican  Institutions.  By  John  S.  C.  Ab- 
bott,   With  100  Engravings.    Svo,  Cloth,  $5  00. 

ABBOTT'S  NAPOLEON  BONAPARTE.  The  History  of  Napoleon  Bonaparte.  By 
Joun  S.  C.  Ahbott.  With  Maps,  Woodcuts,  and  Portraits  on  Steel.  2  vols., 
Svo,  Cloth,  $10  00. 

ABBOTT'S  NAPOLEON  AT  ST.  HELENA ;  or,  Interesting  Anecdotes  and  Remark- 
able Conversations  of  the  Emperor  during  the  Five  and  a  Half  Years  of  his 
Captivity.  Collected  from  the  Memorials  of  Las  Casas,  O'Meara,  Montholon, 
Antommarchi,  and  others.  By  Joun  S.  C.  Abbott.  With  Illustrations.  Svo, 
Cloth,  $5  00. 

ADDISON'S  COMPLETE  WORKS.  The  Works  of  Joseph  Addison,  embracing  the 
whole  of  the  "Spectator."    Complete  in  3  vols.,  Svo,  Cloth,  $G  00. 

ALCOCK'S  JAPAN.  The  Capital  of  the  Tycoon :  a  Narrative  of  a  Three  Years' 
Residence  in  Japan.  By  Sir  Rutherford  Aloock,  K.C.B.,  Her  Majesty's  Envoy 
Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  in  Japan.  With  Maps  and  Engravings. 
2  vols.,  12mo,  Cloth,  $3  50. 

ALISON'S  HISTORY  OF  EUROPE.  First  Series  :  From  the  Commencement  of 
the  French  Revolution,  in  1TS9,  to  the  Restoration  of  the  Bourbons,  in  1815.  [In 
addition  to  the  Notes  on  Chapter  LXXVL,  which  correct,  the  errors  of  the 
original  work  concerning  the  United  States,  a  copious  Analytical  Index  has  been 
appended  to  this  American  edition.]  Second  Series  :  From  the  Fall  of  Napoleon, 
in  1S15,  to  the  Accession  of  Louis  Napoleon,  in  1852.    8  vols.,  Svo,  Cloth,  $±6  00. 

BALDWIN'S  PRE-HISTORIC  NATIONS.  Pre-Historic  Nations ;  or,  Inquiries  con. 
cerning  some  of  the  Great  Peoples  and  Civilizations  of  Antiquity,  and  their 
Probable  Relation  to  a  still  Older  Civilization  of  the  Ethiopians  or  Cushites  of 
Arabia.  By  John  D.  Baldwin,  Member  of  the  American  Oriental  Society. 
12mo,  Cloth,  $1  75. 

EARTH'S  NORTH  AND  CENTRAL  AFRICA.  Travels  and  Discoveries  in  North 
and  Central  Africa:  being  a  Journal  of  an  Expedition  undertaken  under  the 
Auspices  of  H.  B.  M.'s  Government,  in  the  Years  1S49-1S55.  By  Henry  Barth, 
Ph.D.,  D.C.L.    Illustrated.    3  vols.,  8v0,  Cloth,  $12  00. 

HENRY  WARD  BEECHER'S  SERMONS.  Sermons  by  Henry  Ward  Beeoher, 
Plymouth  Church,  Brooklyn.  Selected  from  Published  and  Unpublished  Dis- 
courses, and  Revised  by  their  Author.  With  Steel  Portrait.  Complete  in  2  vols., 
8vo,  Cloth,  $5  00. 

LYMAN  BEECHER'S  AUTOBIOGRAPHY,  &c.  Autobiography,  Correspondence, 
&c,  of  Lyman  Beecher,  D.D.  Edited  by  his  Son,  Ciiari.es  Beeoher.  With  Three 
Steel  Portraits,  and  Engravings  on  Wood.    In  2  7ols.,  12mo,  Cloth,  $5  00. 

BOSWELL'S  JOHNSON.  The  Life  of  Samuel  Johnson,  LL.D.  Including  a  Journey 
to  the  Hebrides.  By  James  Boswell,  Esq.  A  New  Edition,  with  numerous 
Additions  and  Notes.  By  John  Wilson  Croker,  LL.D.,  F.R.S.  Portrait  of 
Boswell.    2  vols.,  Svo,  Cloth,  $4  00. 


4      Harper  6°  Brothers'  Valuable  and  Interesting  Works. 

DRAPER'S  CIVIL  WAR.  History  of  the  American  Civil  War.  By  John  W.  Dra« 
per,  M.D.,  LL.D.,  Professor  of  Chemistry  and  Physiology  in  the  University  of 
New  York.    In  Three  Vols.    Svo,  Cloth,  $3  50  per  vol. 

DRAPER'S  INTELLECTUAL  DEVELOPMENT  OF  EUROPE.  A  History  of  the 
Intellectual  Development  of  Europe.  By  Joun  W.  Draper,  M.D.,  LL.D.,  Profess- 
or  of  Chemistry  and  Physiology  in  the  University  of  New  York.    Svo,  Cloth,  $5  00, 

DRAPER'S  AMERICAN  CIVIL  POLICY.  Thoughts  on  the  Future  Civil  Policy  of 
America.  By  John  W.  Draper,  M.D.,  LL.D.,  Professor  of  Chemistry  and  Physiol- 
ogy in  the  University  of  New  York.    Crown  Svo,  Cloth,  $2  50. 

DU  CHAILLU'S  AFRICA.  Explorations  and  Adventures  in  Equatorial  Africa  with 
Accounts  of  the  Manners  and  Customs  of  the  People,  and  of  the  Chase  of  the  Go- 
rilla,  the  Crocodile,  Leopard,  Elephant,  Hippopotamus,  and  other  Animals.  By 
Paul  15.  Do  Chaillc  Numerous  Illustrations.    Svo,  Cloth,  $5  00. 

BELLOWS'S  OLD  WORLD.  The  Old  World  in  its  New  Face :  Impressions  of  Eu^ 
rope  in  1SGT-1S6S.    By  Henry  W.  Bellows.    2  vols.,  12mo,  Cloth,  $3  50. 

BROD  HEAD'S  HISTORY  OF  NEW  YORK.  History  of  the  State  of  New  York. 
By  John  Romeyn  Brodhead.    1609-1691.    2  vols.    Svo,  Cloth,  $3  00  per  vol. 

BROUGHAM'S  AUTOBIOGRAPHY.  Life  and  Times  of  Henry,  Lord  Brougham 
Written  by  Himself.    In  Three  Volumes.    12mo,  Cloth,  $2  00  per  vol. 

BULWER'S   PROSE  WORKS.     Miscellaneous  Prose  Works  of  Edward  Bulwer. 

Lord  Lytton.    2  vols.,  12mo,  Cloth,  $3  50. 
BULWER'S  HORACE.    The  Odes  and  Epodes  of  Horace.    A  Metrical  Translation 

into  English.     With  Introduction  and  Commentaries.     By  Lord  Lytton.     'W  ith 

Latin  Text  from  the  Editions  of  Orelli,  Macleane,  and  Yonge.    12mo,  Cloth,  $1  75. 
BULWER'S  KING  ARTHUR.    A  Poem.    By  Earl  Lytton.    New  Edition.    12mo, 

Cloth,  $1  75. 

BURNS'S  LIFE  AND  WORKS.  The  Life  and  Works  of  Robert  Burns.  Edited 
by  Robert  Chambers.    4  vols.,  12mo,  Cloth,  $6  00. 

REINDEER,  DOGS,  AND  SNOW-SHOES.  A  Journal  of  Siberian  Travel  and  Ex- 
plorations made  in  the  Years  lS65-'67.  By  Richard  J.  Bcsu,  late  of  the  Russo- 
American  Telegraph  Expedition.    Illustrated.     Crown  Svo,  Cloth,  $3  00. 

CARLYLE'S  FREDERICK  THE  GREAT.  History  of  Friedrich  II.,  called  Frederick 
the  Great.  By  Thomas  Carlyle.  Portraits,  Maps,  Plans,  &c.  6  vols.,  12mo, 
Cloth,  $12  00. 

CARLYLE'S  FRENCH  REVOLUTION.  History  of  the  French  Revolution.  Newly 
Revised  by  the  Author,  with  Index,  &c.    2  vols.,  12mo,  Cloth,  $3  50. 

CARLYLE'S  OLIVER  CROMWELL.  Letters  and  Speeches  of  Oliver  Cromwell. 
With  Elucidations  and  Connecting  Narrative.    2  vols.,  12mo,  Cloth,  $3  50. 

CHALMERS'S  POSTHUMOUS  WORKS.  The  Posthumous  Works  of  Dr.  Chalmers. 
Edited  by  his  Son-in-Law,  Rev.  William  Hanna,  LL.D.  Complete  in  9  vols.» 
12mo,  Cloth,  $13  50. 

COLERIDGE'S  COMPLETE  WORKS.  The  Complete  Works  of  Samuel  Taylor 
Coleridge.  With  an  Introductory  Essay  upon  his  Philosophical  and  Theological 
Opinions.  Edited  by  Professor  Shedd.  Complete  in  Seven  Vols.  With  a  fine 
Portrait.    Small  Svo,  Cloth,  $10  50. 

DOOLITTLE'S  CHINA.  Social  Life  of  the  Chinese :  with  some  Account  of  their  Re- 
ligious, Governmental,  Educational,  and  Business  Customs  and  Opinions.  With 
special  but  not  exclusive  Reference  to  Fnhchau.  By  Rev.  Justus  Doolittle, 
Fourteen  Years  Member  of  the  Fuhchan  Mission  of  the  American  Board.  Illus- 
trated with  more  thau  150  characteristic  Engravings  on  Wood.  2  vols.,  12mo, 
Cloth,  $5  00. 

GIBBON'S  ROME,  nistory  of  the  Decline  and  Fall  of  the  Roman  Empire.  By  Ed- 
ward Gibbon.  With  Notes  by  Rev.  H.  H.  Human  and  M.  Guizot.  A  new  cheap 
Edition.  To  which  is  added  a  complete  Index  of  the  whole  Work,  and  a  Portrait 
of  the  Author.     6  vols.,  12mo,  Cloth,  $9  00. 

HAZEN'S  SCHOOL  AND  ARMY  IN  GERMANY  AND  FRANCE.  The  School 
and  the  Army  in  Germany  and  France,  with  a  Diary  of  Sie^e  Life  at  Versailles. 
By  Brevet  Major-Gencral  W.  B.  Hazen,  U.S.A.,  Colonel  Sixth  Infantry.  Crown 
Svo,  Cloth,  %-l  50. 


Harper  &  Brothers'  Valuable  and  Interesting  Works.      5 

HARPER'S  NEW  CLASSICAL  LIBRARY.    Literal  Translations. 

The  following  Volumes  are  now  ready.    Portraits.    12mo,  Cloth,  $1  50  each. 

Cesar.  —Virgil.  —  Sallust.  —  Horace.—  Cicero's  Orations.— Cicero's  OrrnncFt 
&c. — Cicero  on  Oratory  and  Orators. — Tacitus  (2  vols.).  —  Terence.— 
Sopiiocles. — Juvenal. — Xenophon. —  Homer's  Iliad. — Homer's  Odyssey.— 
Herodotus.—  Demosthenes. — Thucydides.— ^Eschylus.— Euripides  (2  vols.). 
— Livy  (2  vols.). 

DAVIS'S  CARTHAGE.  Carthage  and  her  Remains  :  heing  an  Account  of  the  Exca- 
vations and  Researches  on  the  Site  of  the  Phoenician  Metropolis  in  Africa  and  other 
adjacent  Places.  Conducted  under  the  Auspices  of  Her  Majesty's  Government. 
Bv  Dr.  Davis,  F.R.G.S.  Profusely  Illustrated  with  Maps,  Woodcuts,  Chrome- 
Lithographs,  &c.    Svo,  Cloth,  $4  00. 

EDGEWORTH'S  (Miss)  NOVELS.   With  Engravings.    10  vols.,  12mo,  Cloth,  $15  00. 

GROTE'S  HISTORY  OP  GREECE.    12  vols.,  12mo,  Cloth,  $18  00. 

HELPS'S  SPANISH  CONQUEST.  The  Spanish  Conquest  in  America,  and  its  Rela- 
tion to  the  History  of  Slavery  and  to  the  Government  of  Colonies.  By  Arthur 
Helps.    4  vols.,  12mo,  Cloth,  $6  00. 

HALE'S  (Mrs.)  WOMAN'S  RECORD.  Woman's  Record ;  or,  Biographical  Sketches 
of  all  Distinguished  Women,  from  the  Creation  to  the  Present  Time.  Arranged 
in  Four  Eras,  with  Selections  from  Female  Writers  of  each  Era.  By  Mrs.  Sarah 
Josepha  Hale.    Illustrated  with  more  Jhan  200  Portraits.    Svo,  Cloth,  $5  00. 

HALL'S  ARCTIC  RESEARCHES.  Arctic  Researches  and  Life  among  the  Esqui. 
maux :  being  the  Narrative  of  an  Expedition  in  Search  of  Sir  John  Franklin'  in 
the  Years  1SC0. 1861,  and  1S62.  By  Charles  Francis  Hall.  With  Maps  and  100 
Illustrations.  The  Illustrations  are  from  Original  Drawings  by  Charles  Parsons, 
Henry  L.  Stephens,  Solomon  Eytinge,  W.  S.  L.  Jewett,  and  Granville  Perkins, 
after  Sketches  by  Captain  Hall.    Svo,  Cloth,  $5  00. 

HALLAM'S  CONSTITUTIONAL  HISTORY  OF  ENGLAND,  from  the  Accession  of 
Henry  VII.  to  the  Death  of  George  II.    Svo,  Cloth,  $2  00. 

HALLAM'S  LITERATURE.  Introduction  to  the  Literature  of  Europe  during  the 
Fifteenth,  Sixteenth,  and  Seventeenth  Centuries.  By  Henry  Hallam.  2  vols., 
8vo,  Cloth,  $4  00. 

HALLAM'S  MIDDLE  AGES.  State  of  Europe  during  the  Middle  Ages.  By  Henry 
Hallam.    Svo,  Cloth,  $2  00. 

HILDRETH'S  HISTORY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  First  Series  :  From  the 
First  Settlement  of  the  Country  to  the  Adoption  of  the  Federal  Constitution. 
Second  Series  :  From  the  Adoption  of  the  Federal  Constitution  to  the  End  of 
the  Sixteenth  Congress.     6  vols.,  Svo,  Cloth,  $18  00. 

HUME'S  HISTORY  OF  ENGLAND.  History  of  England,  from  the  Invasion  of  Ju- 
lius Csesar  to  the  Abdication  of  James  II.,  16SS.  By  David  Hume.  A  new  Edi- 
tion, with  the  Author's  last  Corrections  and  Improvements.  To  which  is  Prefix- 
ed a  short  Account  of  his  Life,  written  by  Himself!  With  a  Portrait  of  the  Au- 
thor.   6  vols.,  12mo,  Cloth,  $9  00. 

JAY'S  WORKS.  Complete  Works  of  Rev.  William  Jay :  comprising  his  Sermons, 
Family  Discourses,  Morning  and  Evening  Exercises'"  for  every  Day  in  the  Year, 
Family  Prayers,  &c.  Author's  enlarged  Edition,  revised.  3  vols.,  Svo,  Cloth, 
$6  00. 

JEFFERSON'S  DOMESTIC  LIFE.  The  Domestic  Life  of  Thomas  Jefferson  :  com- 
piled from  Family  Letters  and  Reminiscences  by  his  Great-Granddamrhter, 
Sarah  N.  Randolph.  With  Illustrations.  Crown  Svo,  Illuminated  Cloth,  Bev- 
eled Edges,  $2  50. 

JOHNSON'S  COMPLETE  WORKS.  The  Works  of  Samuel  Johnson,  LL.D.  With 
an  Essav  on  his  Life  and  Genius,  by  Arthur  Murphy,  Esq.  Portrait  of  Johnson, 
2  vols.,  Svo,  Cloth,  $4  00. 

KINGLAKE'S  CRIMEAN  WAR.  The  Invasion  of  the  Crimea,  and  an  Account  of 
its  Progress  down  to  the  Death  of  Lord  Raglan.  By  Alexander  William  Kino- 
lake.  "With  Maps  and  Plans.  Three  Vols/ready.   12mo,  Cloth,  $2  00  per  vol. 

KINGSLEY'S  WEST  INDIES.  At  Last:  A  Christmas  in  the  West  Indies.  By 
Charles  Kingsley.    Illustrated.    12mo,  Cloth,  $1  50. 


6      Harper  6°  Brothers''  Valuable  and  Interesting  Works. 

KRUMMACHER'S  DAVID,  KING  OF  ISRAEL.  David,  the  King  of  Israel :  a  Por- 
trait drawn  from  Bible  History  and  the  Book  of  Psalms.  By  Frederick  William 
Krummaoiier,  D.D.,  Author  of  "Elijah  the  Tishbite,"  &c.  Translated  under  the 
express  Sanction  of  the  Author  by  the  Rev.  M.  G.  Easton,  M.A.  With  a  Letter 
from  Dr.  Krummacher  to  his  American  Readers,  and  a  Portrait.  12mo,  Cloth, 
$1  75. 

LAMB'S  COMPLETE  WORKS.  The  Works  of  Charles  Lamb.  Comprising  his  Let- 
ters, Poems,  Essays  of  Elia,  Essays  upon  Shakspeare,  Hogarth,  &c,  and  a  Sketch, 
of  his  Life,  with  the  Fiual  Memorials,  by  T.  Noon  Talfourd.  Portrait.  2  vols., 
12mo,  Cloth,  $3  00. 

LIVINGSTONE'S  SOUTH  AFRICA.  Missionary  Travels  and  Researches  in  South 
Africa  ;  including  a  Sketch  of  Sixteen  Years'  Residence  in  the  Interior  of  Africa, 
and  a  Journey  from  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  to  Loando  on  the  West  Coast ;  thence 
across  the  Continent,  down  the  River  Zambesi,  to  the  Eastern  Ocean.  By  David 
Livingstone,  LL.D.,  D.C.L.  With  Portrait,  Maps  by  Arrowsmith,  and  numerous 
Illustrations.    Svo,  Cloth,  $4  50. 

LIVINGSTONES'  ZAMBESI.  Narrative  of  an  Expedition  to  the  Zambesi  and  its 
Tributaries,  and  of  the  Discovery  of  the  Lakes  Shirwa  and  Nyassa.  lefjs-lstU. 
By  David  and  Charges  Livingstone.  With  Map  and  Illustrations.  Svo,  Cloth, 
$5  00. 

M'CLINTOCK  &  STRONG'S  CYCLOPAEDIA.  Cyclopaedia  of  Biblical,  Theological, 
and  Ecclesiastical  Literature.  Prepared  by  the  Rev.  John  M'Clintock,  D.D., 
and  James  Strong,  S.T.D.  5  vols.  no%  ready.  Royal  Svo.  Price  per  vol.,  Cloth, 
$5  00  ;  Sheep,  $6  00 ;  Half  Morocco,  $S  00. 

MARCY'S  ARMY  LIFE  ON  THE  BORDER.  Thirty  Years  of  Army  Life  on  the 
Border.  Comprising  Descriptions  of  the  Indian  Nomads  of  the  Plains ;  Explo- 
rations of  New  Territory;  a  Trip  across  the  Rocky  Mountains  in  the  Winter; 
Descriptions  of  the  Habits  of  Different  Animals  found  in  the  West,  and  the  Meth- 
ods of  Hunting  them  ;  with  Incidents  in  the  Life  of  Different  Frontier  Men,  &c., 
&c.  By  Brevet.  Brigadier-General  R.  B.  Marcy,  U.S.A.,  Author  of  "The  Prairie 
Traveller."    WTith  numerous  Illustrations.    Svo,  Cloth,  Beveled  Edges,  $3  00. 

MACAULAY'S  HISTORY  OF  ENGLAND.  The  History  of  England  from  the  Ac- 
cession of  James  II.  By  Thomas  Bacington  Maoatjlay.  With  an  Original  Por- 
trait of  the  Author.    5  vols.,  Svo,  Cloth,  $10  00 ;  12mo,  Cloth,  $7  50. 

MOSHEIM'S  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY,  Ancient  and  Modern  ;  in  which  the 
Rise,  Progress,  and  Variation  of  Church  Power  are  considered  in  their  Connec- 
tion with  the  State  of  Learning  and  Philosophv,  and  the  Political  History  of  Eu- 
rope during  that  Period.  Translated,  with  Notes,  &c,  by  A.  Maclaine,  D.D. 
A  new  Edition,  continued  to  1S26,  by  C.  Coote,  LL.D.    2  vols.,  Svo,  Cloth,  $4  00. 

NEVIUS'S  CHINA.  China  and  the  Chinese:  a  General  Description  of  the  Country 
and  its  Inhabitants;  its  Civilization  and  Form  of  Government ;  its  Religious  and 
Social  Institutions  ;  its  Intercourse  with  other  Nations :  and  its  Present  Condition 
and  Prospects.  Bv  the  Rev.  John  L.  Neyifs,  Ten  Years  a  Missionary  in  China. 
With  a  Map  and  Illustrations.    12mo,  Cloth,  $1  75. 

THE  DESERT  OF  THE  EXODUS.  Journeys  on  Foot  iii  the  Wilderness  of  the 
Forty  Years'  Wanderings;  undertaken  in  connection  with  the  Ordnance  Survey 
of  Sinai  and  the  Palestine  Exploration  Fund.  By  E.  H.  Palmer,  M.A.,  Lord 
Almoner's  Professor  of  Arabic,  and  Fellow  of  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge. 
With  Maps  and  numerous  Illustrations  from  Photographs  and  Drawings  taken 
on  the  spot  bv  the  Sinai  Survey  Expedition  and  C.  F.  Tyrwhitt  Drake.  Crown 
Svo,  Cloth,  $3  00. 

OLIPIIANT'S  CniNA  AND  JAPAN.  Narrative  of  the  Earl  of  Elgin's  Mission  to 
China  and  Japan,  in  the  Years  1^57,  '5S,  '50.  By  Laurence  Olipiiant,  Private 
Secretary  to  Lord  Elgin.    Illustrations.    Svo,  Cloth,  $3  50. 

OLIPHANT'S  (Mrs.1)  LIFE  OF  EDWARD  IRVING.  The  Life  of  Edward  Irving, 
Minister  of  the  National  Scotch  Church,  London.  Illustrated  by  his  Journals  and 
Correspondence.    By  Mrs.  Olipiiant.    Portrait.    Svo,  Cloth,  $3  50. 

RAWLINSON'S  MANUAL  OF  ANCIENT  HISTORY.  A  Manual  of  Ancient  His- 
tory, from  the  Earliest  Times  to  the  Fall  of  the  Western  Empire.  Comprising 
the  History  of  Ctaaldsea,  Assyria,  Media,  Babylonia,  Lydia,  Phoenicia,  Syria,  Ju- 
daea, E°ypt,  Carthage,  Persia,  Greece,  Macedonia,  Parthia,  and  Home.  By 
Gkorgk  I:a\\  unson,  M.A.,  Camden  Professor  of  Ancient  History  in  the  Univer- 
sity of  Oxford.    12mo,  Cloth,  $2  50. 


Harper  6°  Brothers'  Valuable  and  Interesting  Works.       7 

RECLUS'S  THE  EARTH.  The  Earth  :  a  Descriptive  History  of  the  Phenomena 
and  Life  of  the  Globe.  By  Elisee  Reclus.  Translated  by  the  late  B.  B.Wood- 
ward, and  Edited  bv  Henry  Woodward.  With  234  Maps  and  Illustrations,  and 
23  Page  Maps  printed  in  Colors.     8vo,  Cloth,  $5  00. 

RECLUS'S  OCEAN.  The  Ocean,  Atmosphere,  and  Life.  Being  the  Second  Series 
of  a  Descriptive  History  of  the  Life  of  the  Globe.  By  Ei.isek  Reclos.  Pro- 
fusely Illustrated  with  250  Maps  or  Figures,  and  27  Maps  printed  iu  Colors. 
8vo,  Cloth,  $6  00. 

SHAKSPEARE.  The  Dramatic  Works  of  William  Shakspeare,  with  the  Correc- 
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Isaac  Reed.    Engravings.    6  vols.,  Royal  12mo,  Cloth,  $9  00. 

SMILES'S  LIFE  OF  THE  STEPHENSONS.  The  Life  of  George  Stephenson,  and 
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and  Introduction  of  the  Railway  Locomotive.  By  Samuel  Smiles.  With  Steel 
Portraits  and  numerous  Illustrations.    8vo,  Cloth,  $3  00. 

SMILES'S  HISTORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS.  The  Huguenots :  their  Settlements, 
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SPEKE'S  AFRICA.  Journal  of  the  Discovery  of  the  Source  of  the  Nile.  By  Cap- 
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tions, chiefly  from  Drawings  by  Captain  Grant.  Svo,  Cloth,  uniform  with  Liv- 
ingstone, Barth,  Burton,  &c,  $4  00. 

STRICKLAND'S  (Miss)  QUEENS  OF  SCOTLAND.  Lives  of  the  Queens  of  Scot- 
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Britain.    By  Agnes  Strickland.    8  vols.,  12mo,  Cloth,  $12  00. 

THE  STUDENT'S  SERIES. 

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Old  Testament  History.     Engravings.    12mo,  Cloth,  $2  00. 

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Ancient  History  of  the  East.     12mo,  Cloth,  $2  00. 

Hallam's  Middle  Ages.    12mo,  Cloth,  $2  00. 

Hallam's  Constitutional  History  of  England.     12mo,  Cloth,  $2  00. 

Lyell's  Elements  of  Geology.    12mo,  Cloth,  $2  00. 

TENNYSON'S  COMPLETE  POEMS.  The  Complete  Poems  of  Alfred  Tennyson, 
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Characteristic  Portraits.    Svo,  Paper,  75  cents ;  Cloth,  $1  25. 

THOMSON'S  LAND  AND  THE  BOOK.  The  Land  and  the  Book ;  or,  Biblical 
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of  the  Holy  Land.  By  W.  M.  Thomson,  D.  D.,  Twenty-five  Years  a  Missionary 
of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  in  Syria  and  Palestine.  With  two  elaborate  Maps  of  Pal- 
estine, an  accurate  Plan  of  Jerusalem,  and  several  hundred  Engravings,  repre- 
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Costumes,  Manners,  and  Habits  of  the  People.     2  large  12mo  vols.,  Cloth,  $5  00. 

TYERMAN'S  WESLEY.  The  Life  and  Times  of  the  Rev.  John  Wesley,  M.A., 
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TYERMAN'S  OXFORD  METHODISTS.  The  Oxford  Methodists:  Memoirs  of  the 
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graphical Notices  of  others.   By  the  Rev.  L.  Tyerman.   Crown" Svo,  Cloth,  $2  50. 

VAMBfiRY'S  CENTRAL  ASIA.  Travels  in  Central  Asia.  Being  the  Account  of 
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the  Caspian,  to  Khiva,  Bokhara,  and  Samarcand,  performed  in  the  Year  1S63. 
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he  was  sent  on  this  Scientific  Mission.  With  Map  and  Woodcuts.  Svo,  Cloth, 
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WOOD'S  HOMES  WITHOUT  HANDS.  Homes  Without  Hands:  being  a  Descrip- 
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struction. Bv  J.  G.  Wood,  M.A.,  F.L.S.  With  about  140  Illustrations.  Svo, 
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Harper's  Catalogue. 


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